On February 5, 2017, 23 year-old Kenneth Iversen of Sarasota was at the Home Depot store, located at 9941 Adamo Drive in Brandon.
His suspicious behavior attracted the attention of store personnel. Iversen was seen selecting items that would be used to assemble a pipe bomb. When confronted by store personnel, Iversen uttered “Allah Akbar” before fleeing and dropping a large knife. Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to this incident and launched an investigation.
On February 7, 2017, during covert surveillance, detectives observed Iversen return to Home Depot and once again began selecting items that would be consistent with making a pipe bomb.
Home Depot personnel approached Iversen and Iversen left the store and drove out of the parking lot in a 2012 Chrysler 300.
Two marked HCSO patrol units attempted a traffic stop on Iversen and he failed to stop and fled in a high rate of speed. The marked units disengaged from the traffic stop and three undercover cars and HCSO helicopter followed Iversen until he stopped in the 4900 block of S. 78th Street in Tampa.
Detectives observed Iversen exiting his vehicle carrying a small tool box. Detectives approached Iversen and he fled on foot and discarded the tool box.
After a brief foot chase, Iversen was captured and taken into custody. Detectives located the tool box and found a small threaded pipe that resembled a pipe bomb.
Upon arrest, a clear glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine was found in Iversen’s pants pockets.
During the subsequent investigation, detectives learned that Iversen lived with his mother in Sarasota.
With the assistance from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Fire Department and the FBI, the residence was searched for any further evidence related to this investigation and as a result, no additional hazardous material was located.
Iversen was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail under the listed charges.
Fleeing and Attempting to Elude
Resisting an Officer Without Violence x2.
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Investigators along with prosecutors will determine if additional charges may be applied at a later time.
FBI Tampa is assisting Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office with the
investigation into the series of events surrounding the arrest of 23-year-old Kenneth Iversen.
Due to the fact this is an active investigation, no further details can be released at this time according to the FBI field office.