Second LAX airport worker arrested in dry ice bomb incidents

A second ground service employee was arrested Friday in connection with dry ice bombs at Los Angeles International Airport earlier this week, Los Angeles police said.

Miguel Angel Iniguez, 41, a ground services supervisor, was arrested while working at LAX on suspicion of possession of a destructive device in connection with the dry ice bombing incidents, Cmdr. Andrew Smith said.

He works for Servisair and was the supervisor of Dicarlo Bennett, who was arrested earlier this week and charged in connection with two dry ice bombs that exploded in Terminal 2 and in a tarmac area at Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Iniguez, of Inglewood, is being held on $500,000 bail at the 77th Street Station jail

Authorities allege that Bennett, who worked for LAX ground service provider Servisair, placed two dry ice bombs in employee-only areas Sunday.

Sources said Bennett acknowledged being responsible for two of the devices.

The second device, along with a third dry ice bomb that did not detonate, was not reported until Monday, Los Angeles police said.

No injuries were reported in the incidents.

The devices drew the bomb squad to the airport two days in a row, delaying some flights Sunday and prompting increased security.

Police officials said that there was no link to terrorism and that Bennett’s intentions were his own amusement.

“He was a prankster,” Deputy Chief Michael Downing said. “He thought it was funny. Although, Downing added, “there is nothing funny about what he did.”

A Facebook account registered in Bennett’s name said he was a former ramp supervisor for Servisair.

Servisair officials did not elaborate on Bennett’s employment status after his arrest, citing “privacy considerations.” In a statement, the company said it was “cooperating with authorities and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Downing said there was no video footage of Bennett, but “plenty” of evidence linking him to the dry ice bombs.

Before Bennett’s arrest, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said the devices were “more of a noise device than a device that causes damage” but that officials were still taking the case seriously. He said police would push to have anyone arrested “vigorously” prosecuted.

“Whether you think this is a harmless prank or a way to disrupt operations at the airport, it won’t matter,” Beck said. “You will go to jail.”

If he is convicted of the charges, Bennett faces up to six years in county jail.

[For the Record, 7:58 p.m. PDT Oct. 18: A previous version of this post stated incorrectly that bail was set at $75,000. Actually, it’s $500,000.]

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