Who is John Christopher Crawson? Texas man found with homemade bombs in house causes evacuation of nearby homes
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS: A man was arrested by detectives with Williamson County Sheriff’s on Tuesday, February 23, morning after several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found at his Texas residence prompting authorities to evacuate neighboring homes. The sheriff’s office said 47-year-old John Christopher Crawson has been charged with making a terroristic threat against a family member and a third-degree felony.
As per Fox News, Crawson was arrested approximately around 8 am at his home located at 2564 Santa Barbara Loop, outside the city limits of Round Rock, Texas. A detective for the Criminal Investigations Unit for Williamson County department, Lt. Jason Braeutigam reportedly said at a press conference that precautions were in place to safeguard the neighborhood. He also said that the public is asked to avoid the area and agencies would remain at the location until IEDs are safely removed from Crawson’s home.
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WCSO police called the Austin Police Department Bomb Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), seeking their assistance in the further investigation. According to another report by Patch.com, six nearby homes were evacuated during the warrant search. No injuries have been reported so far. The explosives were still at his home when ATF conducted an investigation to determine its threats. The streets were reportedly closed for the public since 11 am. They were able to return home around 2 pm.
Crawson was good to his neighbors
Following Crawson’s arrest, his neighbors reportedly got together to issue a statement. One of his neighbors Sonia Guardado said, "We’re very close-knit. We’re all hurting right now." While another neighbor Ray Jenkins said, "It’s an absolute surprise is all I can say.”
But, it appears as if he was never a trouble to his neighbors as some have noted that he helped the community members. His 74-yar-old neighbor Rod Hobbs said, “He’s always a nice guy. Does things for everybody. It’s hard to believe — but anything’s possible.”
He remembered Crawson for picking up tree limbs from neighbors’ yards after the winter storm and putting them in a trailer in his driveway.
He was reportedly going through an ‘ugly divorce’
The authorities are yet to reveal more details about Crawson’s personal life as the investigation is underway. But, some of his neighbors told Austin Newspaper that he and his wife were allegedly going through an “ugly divorce”. Meanwhile, Braeutigam that it is unclear whether the explosives were made at home by Crawson or purchased elsewhere. According to jail officials, the accused is still booked in Williamson County Jail and a bond is yet to be set.