Damien Paul O’Brien faced legal trouble on Sunday as he was apprehended and charged with four counts after authorities uncovered nearly a dozen small silver pipe bombs scattered along a one-kilometer path in the Belconnen suburb last week.
The 41-year-old made his initial appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court on crutches on Monday, without any request for bail being put forward.
Last week, eleven exploded pipe bombs were discovered near Lake Ginninderra, specifically on the stretch between Joynton Smith Drive and Ginninderra Drive in Belconnen.
Investigators claim that O’Brien pilfered $127 worth of galvanized pipes and purchased 22 cap ends from a Bunnings store in Belconnen to manufacture the explosives.
During a raid on his Belconnen residence on Saturday, police reportedly found various items that they suspect were used in constructing the pipe bombs.
O’Brien was taken into custody in Gungahlin around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday evening.
He has not yet entered pleas to manufacturing a prohibited dangerous substance, possession of a prohibited weapon, failing to appear while on bail, and theft.
Further charges are expected to be laid as investigations continue, according to police.
“Police do not believe the incident to be terrorism-related,” a police statement read.
Magistrate Ian Bloomfield adjourned the matter to February 10.
O’Brien remains behind bars on remand.
