Book-drop Pipe Bombs Lead to Arrest

Denver police arrested a 42-year-old woman October 2 for allegedly putting pipe bombs in book drops at two Denver Public Library branches.

The incidents occurred September 28 at the Ross–Cherry Creek branch and August 7 at the Ross–University Hills branch. Library workers found both bombs, which police described as functional, before the libraries opened. At the University Hills branch, the message “Stop the harassment or you will be murdered” was spray-painted on the front sidewalk, the Denver Post reported October 4.

Following a tip, police found two partially assembled pipe bombs in the van where Valeria Giorella lived, near the Cherry Creek branch. Detectives are trying to figure out her motive in targeting libraries, saying Giorella possessed a library card.

Library spokeswoman Patricia Hodapp wouldn’t comment to reporters, saying only that the library doesn’t release information on its patrons. “We’re one of the last bastions of absolute privacy,” she said.

Posted October 9, 2000.