Twin Brothers Allegedly Set off IEDs in Bombing Spree

Twin brothers have been arrested for setting off improvised explosive devices in various locations in two Pennsylvania counties that destroyed several buildings, authorities said.

The district attorney's office in Chester County announced Tuesday the arrests of Daniel and Caleb Tate, 22, of Cochranville Township. The two were charged with arson by explosion, arson by possession of explosive devices, conspiracy and theft, among other things.

The Tates were home from school during winter break in December when the incidents occurred, according to a criminal affidavit. It's unclear whether they have entered a plea.

Daniel Tate is a student at Pepperdine University in California, and Caleb Tate is a student at Belmont University in Tennessee, according to the D.A.

The brothers allegedly made bombs from materials such as metal pipes, propane canisters and fuel containers.

Between Dec. 20 and Dec. 31 of last year, the twins detonated the devices that damaged a mailbox, a phone shed, a produce shed and a well-pump shed in five different locations throughout Chester and Lancaster counties, the D.A. said.

"We live in a world where the thought of bombs exploding around us is a very real fear," Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a statement. "These defendants brought that fear to our region during a two-week crime spree where they detonated multiple IEDs."

No one was hurt during the incidents, which took place in the early morning.

The D.A. also said the Pennsylvania State Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the matter.