Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 17, 1990 TAG: 9004170580
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DETROIT LENGTH: Short
The blast occurred at 8:30 p.m. Monday outside the Royal Oak Post Office as workers collected tax returns from filers rushing to meet the midnight deadline.
"From the writing on the envelope, there was an indication it was some kind of tax protest," U.S. Postal Inspector Fred Van de Putte said.
There were no arrests, postal officials said this morning.
The envelope, addressed "To The Tax Thieves," contained a Roman candle and a tea bag, Van de Putte said.
The tea bag apparently referred to the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the tax protest that helped spark the American Revolution. The envelope also contained an unidentified red fluid and a fuse, fire Capt. Ron Gammon said.
Tom Berlucci, 29, a maintenance employee for 10 years, spotted the envelope smoking in a bin of last-minute tax returns.
"Berlucci smelled something burning," Van de Putte said. "He pushed aside the other mail and saw a brown, padded envelope."
Berlucci was trying to toss the parcel into a nearby puddle when it exploded.
Berlucci was treated for burns on his hands and face and released, William Beaumont Hospital spokeswoman Valerie Mahaczek said.
"We don't know exactly what the explosive device was," Gammon said. "I guess the fluid was supposed to be blood. It flew all over the place."
The blast did little or no structural damage to the post office, Royal Oak police Lt. Ray Taylor said.
by CNB