Dry Ice Explosions At Los Angeles International Airport Were Meant As A Prank: Police

A 28-year-old suspect, who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with this week's dry ice explosions at Los Angeles International Airport, planted the bombs because he thought "it was funny," police said on Wednesday, according to Los Angeles Times.

Dicarlo Bennett, who works for the aviation ground services company, Servisair, was arrested for possessing and exploding a destructive device near an aircraft. He is being held on a bail amount of $1 million, and an initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, according to reports. And, according to police officials, Bennett is cooperating with the investigation.

"He was a prankster," LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing was quoted as saying by LA Times. "He thought it was funny. There is nothing funny about what he did. This is a serious pipe bomb filled with shrapnel; it is a destructive device."

"There is no terrorism here," Downing added. "There is one man involved here who made some very poor choices."

One of the bombs, which was placed in an employee restroom, exploded on Sunday evening and the second bomb detonated on Monday outside the Tom Bradley International Terminal. According to reports, an unexploded device was found later on Monday night.

Calling the acts foolish and negligent, Lt. John Karle of the LAPD told Associated Press that investigators believe that the bombs were set "out of a desire to construct and experience a device exploding."

Servisair said in a statement to the media that it had no comments to make other than to confirm that Bennett was an employee of the ground handling company at the time of the incident.

The incident has prompted airport officials to enhance security arrangements, and according to an AP report, airport officials will work together with law enforcement agencies to put in place additional security enhancements at the sixth-busiest airport in the world.

Regulations concerning handling of dry ice at the airport will also be changed. Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon told AP that the airport will now require employees to return dry ice to the warehouse after use, and not leave it on the tarmac.