TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A podiatrist arrested after authorities found
guns and explosives in his home planned to destroy an Islamic
education center and dozens of mosques, court documents alleged
Friday.
Deputies searching Dr. Robert J. Goldstein's home near St.
Petersburg found up to 40 weapons, 30 explosive devices, a list of
about 50 Islamic worship centers in Florida and detailed plans to
bomb an Islamic education center, according to a complaint filed
Friday.
``Set timers for approximately 15-20 minutes to allow for enough
time to get out of area, but to confirm explosions has (sic) been
successful,'' reads an outline of the attack, according to court
documents. ``The amount of explosives should be ample to take down
the building(s).''
Police believe Goldstein planned to use VCR tapes and
walkie-talkies to hide explosive devices or detonators, sheriff's
Detective Cal Dennie said.
``He was just a smart guy,'' Dennie said. ``He knew his stuff.
It was like a James Bond thing.''
Goldstein, 37, was charged Friday with possession of a
non-registered destructive device and attempting to use an
explosive to damage and destroy Islamic centers. He was being held
without bond Friday night at Hillsborough County jail.
Authorities did not offer a motive.
Papers found at the home mention an accomplice, but Dennie said
he did not know whether investigators are seeking other suspects.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which took over
the case Friday, did not immediately return a phone call.
Authorities found the explosives and evacuated residents in
Goldstein's townhome complex Thursday night after his mother called
police. She had asked them to check on the home after his wife,
Kristi Goldstein, called her and said they were having marital
problems, Dennie said.
Goldstein was placed in custody under the Baker Act, which
allows involuntary commitment for analysis.
The neighbors were allowed to return home Friday afternoon.
In Goldstein's home, rigged with trip wires and surveillance
cameras, police found explosive devices including hand grenades and
a 5-gallon gasoline bomb with a timer and a wire attached, Dennie
said.
``If one of those bombs were to have gone off, that townhouse
would have been destroyed,'' ATF Agent Carlos Baixauli said. ``If
the others exploded, we would have lost most of that townhouse
complex.''
Goldstein had licenses for the guns, Dennie said.
According to court documents, the template for the bombing
outlined details including what Goldstein would wear, how he could
get rid of fingerprints and how he would engage in hand-to-hand
combat if necessary.
The paper lists a person named ``Val'' as an accomplice, but
that name is scratched out, and ``Mike'' is handwritten over it
throughout.
A message left at Goldstein's medical office was not immediately
returned Friday. Goldstein's home does not have a listed phone
number.
