Man accused of targeting protesters with suspected firebomb in Vermont

"However, as traffic began to accumulate behind his car and other vehicles honked and drove around him, Whelan allegedly stopped what he was doing and sped off. "Based on the descriptions, it appeared the driver was trying to light some sort of incendiary device," Brattleboro police said. The incident coincided with a protest in Pliny Park centered on the theme, "No war on Venezuela, no more murders on the high seas," according to the Brattleboro Reformer."

"Days later, according to the Reformer, police reportedly received a complaint that Whelan obtained ammunition through the mail - a violation of his conditions of release in earlier incidents involving the Brattleboro Food Co-op and the Windham County Courthouse. A search of Whelan's apartment allegedly turned up a handgun and four boxes of ammunition, the local news outlet reported. In his car, authorities purportedly found camouflage body armor, a metal baton, two fixed blade knives, a rifle, six magazines, ammunition, a hatchet, and pepper spray, accordi"

A 43-year-old man, identified as Oscar Whelan, was arrested after allegedly trying to light an incendiary device from his car while stopped in front of protesters opposing a possible war in Venezuela. Witnesses reported seeing the driver attempting to ignite something exiting what appeared to be a bottle; he sped away when traffic increased. Police allege aggravated assault and possession of destructive devices. Days later investigators received a complaint that Whelan obtained ammunition by mail in violation of release conditions; a search reportedly uncovered a handgun, boxes of ammunition, body armor, knives, a rifle, magazines, a hatchet, and other items.

Read at Boston.com