By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

An Alfred man remains in federal custody after five pipe bombs were found in his car at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.

Robert Wayne Infante was arrested after arriving at the hospital with injuries caused by an explosion in his basement. Route 111 was closed and the hospital secured while investigators detonated explosive devices in the trunk of Infante’s car. 

On the morning of June 25, Infante called for an ambulance after injuring his hand at his Avery Road home. He told emergency workers the injury was the result of a liquid propane explosion that occurred while he was filling a butane lighter, according to an affidavit filed by Paul McNeil of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Infante met the ambulance on a road near his home with a towel wrapped around his hand, which was missing the middle finger from the knuckle up. He told the ambulance crew he would drive himself to the hospital in Biddeford, according to court records.   

Officials from the Alfred Fire Department went to Infante’s house, where they found evidence of an explosion and more than 100 marijuana plants in the basement. A workbench contained what appeared to be 12 pipe bombs in various stages of construction. There was no evidence of a propane explosion and three additional pipe bombs were found on the second floor, according to court records. 

During an interview at the hospital with Ken Grimes of the state Fire Marshal’s Office, Infante said the explosion happened after he dropped a plastic pill bottle containing explosive powder. He said he made four explosives that morning, according to court records. 

Infante allowed investigators to search his car in the hospital parking lot. Southern Maine Medical Center Spokesman Sue Hadiaris said hospital staff worked with emergency officials to secure areas outside and inside the hospital adjacent to the parking lot. Patients and staff were moved away from the part of the hospital closest to the parking lot. 

Route 111 was closed for about an hour while investigators detonated five explosive devices found in the truck of Infante’s car, according to court documents. The explosion could be heard throughout the hospital, though no one was evacuated or injured. 

Infante told investigators he has a “fascination with pipe bombs,” according to McNeil’s affidavit. He was convicted in 1988 in U.S. District Court in Vermont for false statements, possession of a destructive device and manufacture of a destructive device.

Infante made his initial court appearance Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland on a charge of possession of an unregistered destructive device. He was ordered held at Cumberland County Jail pending a bail conditions hearing Thursday. 

If convicted of possession of an unregistered destructive device, Infante could face 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.