DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man has been charged in the investigation of a pipe bomb that was found at Waveland Golf Course.

On Thursday afternoon, the Des Moines Police Department responded to a report of a “suspicious device” that was found at the golf course off the fairway and green near hole eight. According to the DMPD, the Bomb Squad determined that the device was a pipe bomb, a live improvised explosive device.

The golf course was evacuated and closed so the Bomb Squad could detonate the device at the scene rather than transport it, and to ensure that there were no other IEDs at the course. The DMPD said that no other devices were found and that no injuries occurred.

Evidence collected led investigators to 41-year-old Michael James Valento, the DMPD said. A search warrant was executed at his home in the 5700 block of University Avenue early Friday morning; however Valento was not there. Police said that officers located Valento a short time later nearby and was took him into custody.

According to the DMPD, on July 3 an IED resembling a pipe bomb had been detonated at the Waveland Golf Course. Police accuse Valento of detonating that pipe bomb and placing the pipe bomb found on Friday at the golf course.

Valento was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on the following charges:

• Two counts of Possession of An Explosive or Incendiary Device With Intent
• First-Degree Arson
• Third-Degree Arson
• Dominion Or Control Of A Firearm/Offensive Weapon By A Domestic Abuse Offender

The DMPD said that the investigation into this incident is ongoing.

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