Suspect sought after homemade bomb at LA synagogue

Some 100 peope were evacuated after the explosion on Thursday near the Chabad House Jewish temple in Santa Monica, west of Los Angeles, which officials had said was due to some kind of industrial accident.

But Santa Monica police spokesman Jay Trisler said yesterday that further investigation had found material linked to a known transient in the debris of a metal post which landed on a nearby roof after the blast.

The suspect was named as 60-year-old Ron Hirsch -- who also goes by the name of Israel Fisher -- wanted on charges of possessing a destructive device and other unrelated charges.

"Bomb technicians and detectives conducted further forensic analysis and uncovered materials indicating that the device appeared to have been deliberately constructed," he said.

"Investigation has determined that items found in and around the mechanism are linked to an individual by the name of Ron Hirsch," who "is known to frequent synagogues and Jewish community centres seeking charity from patrons."

"Based on his suspected involvement in this incident, Hirsch is considered extremely dangerous," he added, issuing a mugshot of Hirsch showing the 60-year-old with a full beard.

Nobody was injured in the early morning blast, which triggered initial reports of a pipe bomb before police said it due to "some type of mechanical failure," apparently underground.