FBI offers $65,000 for info on 2008 Times Square bomber

The FBI and the New York City Police Department announced on Tuesday an award of up to $65,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects behind the unsolved 2008 bombing of the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station in Times Square.

Additionally, the FBI released videos of the key suspect and a photo of the explosive device used in the bombing. In the footage the suspect appears to be working alone, but the FBI, in its press release announcing the reward, noted that “he or she may have had a lookout or surveillance team of as many as five other individuals in Times Square at the time of the attack.”

On March 6, 2008, the unknown individual placed a small bomb in front of the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station in Times Square. Security videos from the area show the bomber fleeing the scene on a bicycle, which was later recovered in a dumpster some seven blocks away near Madison Avenue and 38th Street.

“Someone, somewhere knows something about a bomber who’s still on the run,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos in the release. “Today, we’re asking for the public’s assistance in finding those responsible and encouraging the public to look at these photos and video, which could be the key to breaking the case.”

According to the FBI, the suspect may be connected to two other bombings in New York City: one in front of the British Consulate in 2005 and another at the Mexican Consulate in 2007. With both bombings, the devices were delivered by an individual on a bicycle and detonated early in the morning.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Manhattan, which includes FBI agents, NYPD detectives, and members of other local, state and federal agencies. The FBI asks for anyone with information on the three bombings to call 212-384-1000.

By William Holt