US Bombing Suspect Apprehended in Wales After 21 Years

A man sought by US authorities, Daniel Andreas San Diego, 46, was apprehended in Wales on Monday, 21 years after a double bombing in San Francisco. His arrest occurred during an operation supported by counter-terrorism police and North Wales Police. He now faces extradition to the US, having been taken into custody by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) at a property located in a remote rural area near woodland in north Wales. Christopher Wray, director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), stated: “Daniel San Diego’s arrest after more than 20 years as a fugitive for two bombings in the San Francisco area shows that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable.” He further remarked: “There’s a right way and a wrong way to express your views in our country, and turning to violence and destruction of property is not the right way.” The NCA confirmed his arrest was made following a request from US authorities, and he subsequently appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Tuesday, marking the commencement of extradition proceedings. “He was remanded in custody,” a spokesman said. The FBI had previously characterized the suspect as an “animal rights extremist.” Born in Berkeley, California, he was sought in connection with the alleged bombing of two office buildings in the San Francisco area in 2003. He was the first individual identified as an alleged domestic terrorist to be placed on the US agency’s most wanted terrorists list. A reward of $250,000 (£199,000) had been offered for information that would lead to his apprehension. The initial bombing occurred on 28 August 2003, outside the Chiron Life Science Center in Emeryville, California. Authorities discovered a second bomb at the location, but it detonated before it could be rendered safe. The agency indicated that this suggested the device might have been planted with the specific intent to target first responders. In September 2003, less than a month subsequent to the first incident, a nail bomb detonated outside a nutritional products corporation situated in Pleasanton, California. According to the FBI, the suspect was indicted in July 2004 in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, concerning his alleged involvement.