May 31, 2018

Feds: Suspect tied to Aliso Viejo explosion investigation had IEDs; ex-girlfriend was killed opening box

An ex-boyfriend and business partner of a woman who died when a device exploded inside her Aliso Viejo day spa was arrested early Thursday after authorities said they found two improvised explosive devices during a search this week of his Long Beach home.To get more breaking news videos, you can visit shine news official website.

Authorities emphasized that the federal charge filed against Stephen Beal, 59 — possession of an unregistered explosive device — is not directly related to events that led up to the powerful blast Tuesday that killed Ildiko Krajnyak, 48, and injured two other women.

But in an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, federal officials offered an array of new details about the explosion and its aftermath, and the connection between Beal and Krajnyak, who began a short-lived romantic relationship after meeting through an online dating site.

During the brief hearing at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana on Thursday afternoon, Beal appeared in street clothes – black jeans, a blue sweatshirt and tennis shoes – and answered in a clear voice when asked by a magistrate judge if he understood the charge he is facing:He did not enter a plea, and is expected back in court on Monday.

Beal’s court-appointed attorney declined to comment after the hearing. A small group of supporters in attendance also declined to comment. The hearing scheduled for Monday will address whether Beal can be released from custody, or what bail will be set.According to the affidavit written by an FBI agent, investigators found two completed improvised explosive devices, three firearms and chemicals and materials that could be used to build other IEDs during a search of Beal’s Long Beach home. The home was searched Wednesday along with other locations, including Krajnyak’s Trabuco Canyon residence, in Orange County.

Beal told investigators that the explosives were related to his hobby of making model rockets, according to the court filing, and said he didn’t have the materials needed to set off a large explosion. He acknowledged to agents that at one point he had made a smaller device to assist neighbors with a gopher problem.

An agent in a handwritten note in the complaint noted that the devices at Beal’s home were "not consistent with that of a model rocket.”One of the other women injured in the blast told federal agents that the explosive was inside one of several cardboard boxes that were on the floor of the day spa, along with unopened mail, according to the affidavit. As soon as Krajnyak opened the box, it exploded. The victim recalled being thrown backwards onto the floor and seeing smoke and flames.

One of the witnesses told agents that she saw "everything on fire” after the explosion. Afterwards, investigators found a nine-volt battery, a cell phone, melted material believed to be duct tape and loose wires, according to the court filing.Beal told investigators that he met Krajnyak through an online dating website in 2016, and dated her for about a year and a half. According to the affidavit, Beal said their relationship "began to cool due to disputes over the exclusivity of the relationship and financial issues.”

California Secretary of State records show that Beal and Krajnyak were also business associates, each listed as a chief executive officer. It is not spelled out if that pertained to Magyar Kozmetika, which Krajnyak owned and where the explosion occurred, but one of the address listed was that of the day spa.

Beal claimed that he paid half the rent for the day spa, and half of its operating costs, according to the affidavit, and would sometimes have to loan Krajnyak money to cover the remaining costs.

Photos posted on Beal’s Facebook page appear to show him and Krajnyak recently vacationing together in Mexico.

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