CUBAN INFORMATION ARCHIVES




DOCUMENT  0171


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REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
Log of Events (8/19/72 - 8/24/72)

REFERENCE:
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
AFTER ACTION REPORT

CENTRAL SERVICES DIVISION - CRIME LAB BUREAU
(Metro-Dade Police/Public Safety Department, Dade County, Florida)
pages 1-0316, 1-0317

Chronological Log of Events Convention Week (8/19/72 - 8/24/72)

Describe each event and your agency's response.

On August 19, 1972, the attempted bombing of a vehicle was investigated.  The blasting cap detonated but the explosives did not.  The device, consisting of a soap dish filled with plastic explosives and a blasting cap, was placed on the vehicle fender.  The Cuban victim felt the attempt was generated by an editorial he had written in a local newspaper stating his support for Nixon.  No suspects are yet developed.

On August 20, 1972, a water search of the bridges leading to Miami Beach was conducted.  No explosive devices were encountered.

On August 20, 1972, at 10:14 p.m. a bomb team investigated a suspicious package found aboard a National Airlines aircraft.  The package was found to contain a pistol and ammunition.  This weapon was found to be the property of a serviceman who had left it in the custody of the pilot.  No information is available as to how it came to be left unattended.

On August 22, 1972, at 4:10 p.m. an item found to be a homemade firecracker was recovered from Pan American Airways security section.  It had been found aboard Pan Am Flight 504.

On August 23, 1972, the following incidents took place in and around the Convention Center.

8:00 p.m.  A bomb threat was called in by long distance.  Caller stated a bomb was located in the north end of the Convention Hall.  A search of the hall disclosed no explosives.

8:20 p.m.  An abandoned vehicle was searched for bombs or incendiary devices.  None was found.

8:30 p.m. A number of white vans parked near the Convention Hall were searched for bombs or incendiary devices.  None was found.

9:00 p.m.  Three apparent homemade incendiary devices were recovered from Public Safety Department officers who had taken them from demonstrators.

9:00 p.m.  A spent tear gas grenade was recovered at Lincoln Road and Meridian.  It had been turned in by a citizen.

1:00 a.m.  (August 24)   Reports of grenades being thrown at Flamingo Park were checked.  It was found that the demonstrators were throwing fireworks only.

In addition to those activities listed above, it has been reported that the U.S. Secret Service recovered a black powder bomb in the convention area late Sunday or early Monday.

A second item was recovered by the U.S. Secret Service at the Doral Hotel on Sunday.  No further information is available on either of these items.
 

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