Authorities sought the public’s help Friday in identifying a black-clad, bearded bomb thrower who terrorized diners when he tossed a homemade explosive device into a Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Pasadena.
Witnesses described the suspect as either Hispanic or Middle Eastern, 6 feet tall, with a thin build, a heavy beard, all black clothing and a black beanie. While a motive was unknown, federal authorities were notified “out of an abundance of caution.”
Authorities made no reference to a possible terrorism motive.
No one was hurt in the blast, which was reported during the crowded dinner hour Thursday just after 6 p.m. at the restaurant at 2 W. Colorado Blvd.
Responding officers immediately evacuated the restaurant and located the detonated homemade pyrotechnic device, according to the Pasadena Police Department. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad also responded to the scene and rendered the device safe, police said.
“Pasadena Police detectives are currently handling the investigation and out of an abundance of caution the federal authorities have been notified,” a Pasadena police statement said. The motive is not known, police said.
Anyone with information about the explosion or the suspect was urged to call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously at lacrimestoppers.com by inserting the keyword “Pasadena.”
—City News Service