RCMP announced they have new evidence in connection to a series of pipeline bombings targeting energy firm EnCana in B.C., just hours after Wiebo Ludwig was released from their custody Saturday morning.
An emotional Ludwig walked out of the RCMP detachment in Grand Prairie, Alta. early Saturday morning, about 24 hours after dozens of RCMP officers descended on his farm to execute a search warrant.
When asked about the recent events Ludwig said, "I've had quite a grilling." He refused to answer questions about his arrest, but said "What I wanted to tell you all is I want to go home and connect the dots a little bit, as to where we are going from here as a family."
Following Ludwig's release RCMP announced they have new evidence that will be submitted to the Crown in the case of the pipeline bombings in B.C.
Insp. Tim Shields says the new evidence obtained in the last 24 hours didn't necessarily come from the search of Ludwig's farm.
Shields also said police had reasonable and probable grounds to make an arrest, but the Crown didn't see sufficient evidence to lay charges.
Ludwig's lawyer, Paul Moreau, had said Friday that his client would be charged with extortion in the case, which involves a series of six pipeline bombings in Dawson Creek, B.C. in 2008.
Moreau said Saturday that no charges against Ludwig are pending.
"I don't know what has caused this, what appears to be a change of mind on the part of the RCMP," Moreau told CTV News Channel in a telephone interview from Edmonton. "Nor do I know whether they might change their minds back again."
On Friday, between 30 and 40 officers descended on Ludwig's farm outside of Hythe, Alta., which is about 25 kilometres east of the British Columbia border. Officers are expected to remain at the farm for another few days.
RCMP Supt. Lloyd Plante said he could not comment on what officers were looking for or what information led them to Ludwig's farm.
However, family members told reporters the search warrant indicated investigators were on the hunt for specific writing utensils, blue and red ink, envelopes, stamps, computer equipment and dynamite.
In a statement issued Friday, Plante said "we have followed a trail of evidence that ultimately led to the execution of the search warrant."
He also called Ludwig's arrest a "significant development in the 15 month-long investigation into the bombings."
Letters made demands
In each incident, the bomber targeted the Calgary-based energy firm EnCana. At one point, someone claiming to be the bomber wrote a letter demanding that the company halt operations in the area.
In July, a second letter addressed to a local newspaper said that things "could get a lot worse" if EnCana refused to stop operating in the area.
The company had offered a $1 million reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone involved with the bombings.
Ludwig, who was convicted in connection with two Alberta gas-well bombings that took place in 1998, and served 28 months in prison, had been helping the RCMP investigate the Dawson Creek incidents.
Last fall, Ludwig wrote a public letter to the bomber in which he appealed for calm and called for an end to the bombings.
According to Moreau, Ludwig's arrest and subsequent release have left his client "confused and puzzled."
"I believe he remains very concerned about the situation," Moreau said. "In light of what has happened I'm not so sure that he is anxious anymore to assist the RCMP."
With files from The Canadian Press
