Man Sets Off Explosives at Estranged Spouse's House: Police

By Deb Belt

A man involved in a divorce and custody dispute is suspected of detonating two explosive devices in an effort to force his way into his father-in-law’s Bethesda house, police say.

Montgomery County, Md., Police say no one was injured when two explosive devices were detonated about 2 a.m. July 13 in the 11400 block of Marcliff Road in Bethesda.

The homeowner call police to report that his son-in-law, Marc Cassell, 36, was attempting to force his way into the house. The victim said several loud “bangs” at the front door of the house woke him up. He found sparks and smoke coming into the house from around the front door and flames outside the door.

The homeowner’s daughter and Cassell are estranged, police learned, and the victim said Cassell fled the scene in a vehicle parked outside the house.

When police arrived at the residence, they determined that an explosive device had been placed at the front door of the home and detonated. A second device had exploded near the garage, causing significant damage to the structure.

Later in the morning, investigators learned that Cassell had fled to Fairfax County. Fairfax County Police were notified and Cassell was arrested. He is being held by Fairfax County authorities awaiting extradition.

The investigation into this incident continues by members of the Montgomery County Fire Marshall’s Office, detectives from the Special Victims Investigations Division and the Fairfax County Police Department.