Sheriff’s applicant arrested Man acknowledged making pipe bombs

PORTLAND – A South Portland man who applied for a job at the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department landed himself in jail after he disclosed that he had made pipe bombs in the past, authorities said Thursday.

Timothy DiPaolo, 26, admitted during a job interview Wednesday that he had made and exploded pipe bombs in the past, said Sheriff Mark Dion. He was arrested later when he attempted to surrender a bomb, Dion said.

Inmates were moved and deputies secured the area Wednesday evening before the state police bomb squad disarmed the device.

Bomb-making materials including custom-cut pipes, wires and batteries were seized at the home of Timothy and Diana DiPaolo in South Portland, Dion said.

Another man, Jeffrey Berry, 35, was charged at the scene with obstructing officers and conspiracy to use illegal explosives, he said.

Both men were released Wednesday evening from the Cumberland County Jail. DiPaolo’s bond was set at $25,000 in property, while Berry was released on $250 cash, jail officials said.