Aug 8, 2008 9:08 pm US/Pacific
FBI Searches Santa Cruz Home; Firebomb Tie Unclear
SANTA CRUZ (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
The FBI confirmed to CBS 5 on Friday that it executed a search warrant at a Santa Cruz home that was searched once before in connection with an animal rights protest.
Agents would not say, however, if this latest search was connected to last weekend's firebombings that targeted University of California, Santa Cruz scientists.
The first incident ignited the porch of Professor David Feldheim's home in the west part of the city. The researcher, his wife and their two children managed to escape down a fire ladder from a second-story window, according to police.
A short time after the first firebomb damaged Feldheim's home, the car of another university researcher was firebombed outside a faculty housing area on campus.
Police said the incidents followed several attacks by "suspected animal rights extremists'' since March 31, including the firebombing of a police vehicle. Authorities were working to ensure the safety of others listed in animal rights pamphlets found at Caffe Pergolesi, located in downtown Santa Cruz, police spokesman Zach Friend said.
The pamphlets listed names and addresses of UC Santa Cruz researchers, and included threats toward them, according to police.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information connected to the firebombings. Police hoped the reward will encourage people to come forward and offer information that may lead to an arrest in the case.
Anyone with information was urged by police to call investigators at (831) 420-5820.
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