Student arrested in connection with bottle bomb incident

An Iowa State University student has been arrested on a warrant following an investigation of a bottle bomb and related devices discovered on campus Sept. 30.

Thomas C. Hoff, 21, turned himself in to ISU Police shortly before noon today (Oct. 4). Hoff was arrested on a charge of reckless use of fire or explosives, a serious misdemeanor. He was transported to the Story County Jail, where he was being held on a bond of $2,500.

Hoff is a senior in Animal Science, originally from Schaumburg, Ill.

Last Thursday, ISU Police received a report of a suspicious bottle outside Building 33 of the Frederiksen Court apartments, located on the northeast side of campus. The bottle was bulging from internal pressure and appeared to contain liquid and other materials. ISU Police responded to the scene and secured the area. Officials from the Ames Fire Department and the university's Environmental Health and Safety department also responded to the incident. The bottle was rendered safe and determined to be a chemical bottle bomb. The liquid remaining in the bottle was analyzed and found to be highly caustic. Other bottles discovered nearby appeared to be related to this incident.