$2M bail for suspect in bomb-throwing car chase

GREAT FALLS (AP) — A Great Falls judge has set bail at $2 million for a Virginia man who authorities say threw pipe bombs at officers while leading them on a 40-mile chase in a stolen car.

AP Photo/Cascade County Sheriff Dept.

This photo released by the Cascade County Sheriff Dept. taken Thursday, showing Laurence Stewart II, Stewart is wanted on charges of detonating pipe bombs in Virginia and was arrested in Montana after leading police on a chase in which authorities said he threw several bombs at his pursuers before he was captured.

Laurence Stewart II appeared Friday before District Judge Dirk Sandefur.

Stewart is charged with three counts of attempted deliberate homicide. The Great Falls Tribune (http://bit.ly/SCjhnG) reports two patrol cars drove over a bomb Thursday just before it exploded, and another bomb exploded near a deputy's car.

The 25-year-old Stewart also faces a charge of felony criminal endangerment for allegedly throwing a bomb near a parked civilian.

Det. John Cadner of Cascade County Sheriff's Office testified other bombs were seized from the vehicle.

Stewart faces charges in Virginia for allegedly detonating pipe bombs at homes there.

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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com