WASHINGTON — The estranged wife of a man charged with setting off explosives at a Bethesda home on Sunday had filed for a protective order from him earlier this year, court records show.
Montgomery County police officers are investigating the incident in which two explosive devices were detonated.
At 2 a.m. Sunday, officers went to the 11400 block of Marcliff Road in Bethesda. A man told police that his son-in-law, Marc Cassell, tried to force his way into his house.
The man said he had been awakened by several loud bangs at his front door. When he went to see what happened, the man found sparks, smoke and sparks wafting into the house from the front door.
Also, the man said, there were flames outside the front door.
That’s when the man recognized Cassell trying to force his way into the residence. Cassell fled the scene.
A second explosive was located near the garage, which was also detonated and caused significant damage, according to police.
Police say Cassell is involved in an ongoing divorce and custody dispute with the man’s daughter.
Court records show a protective order was sought by his wife in April.
Later on Sunday, investigators learned that Cassell fled to Fairfax County, Virginia.
Cassell was arrested and is being held by Fairfax County authorities awaiting extradition.
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