Suspect In Deadly Aliso Viejo Bombing Arrested Sunday: Cops

ALISO VIEJO, CA —Nearly a year after a bomb exploded and killed a day spa owner at her Aliso Viejo business, federal agents arrested the victim's former boyfriend Sunday. Agents Arrested Stephen Beal at an ATM in Long Beach and also began searching his Long Beach home.

Beal, who was arrested one day after the May 15 blast that killed 48- year-old Ildiko Krajnyak, was listed as co-owner the Aliso Viejo day spa. Two others were injured in the blast.

During the days that followed the Aliso Viejo explosion, Beal was detained but was not charged with causing the blast. His home was also searched during that time.

Since that time, the FBI has reviewed over 1,000 pieces of evidence collected from the crime scene, 300 items which were sent to FBI's Laboratory Division in Quantico, Virginia, to be examined.

Investigators have also accumulated "terabytes of digital media and hours of surveillance footage," according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller of the Los Angeles FBI office.

He was charged only in federal court with possession of an unregistered destructive device. Prosecutors brought a motion to dismiss the charges, which was granted May 29. Beal is a self described actor, whose first wife died in a "furniture moving mishap," according to previous reports.

Officials were expected to release more information about Sunday's arrest at a news conference Monday morning, according to Eimiller.

According to a court affidavit, before charges were dropped in May, federal investigators searching Beal's home recovered a pair of pipe bombs and three firearms, none of which were registered.

Beal also told investigators that he and Krajnyak split up over issues of exclusivity and finances, according to the affidavit.

However, federal prosecutors said further examination by the FBI "raises questions as to whether the devices meet the statutory definition for a 'destructive device' contained in" federal law.

In November, sheriff's and FBI investigators said they were continuing to look for a suspect and asked for the public's help.

"We are looking at every grain of sand," said Joshua Stone, an FBI assistant special agent in charge. "Combing through the evidence, in this case, has been described as looking for something microscopic in a giant building that was hit by a tornado. Nevertheless, we are committed to using every tool available to follow the evidence to conclusion."

The ingredients of the bomb could have been bought at retail stores, investigators say.
Anyone with information was asked to call the FBI tip line at (800) CALL-FBI.

Video of the incident can be seen at www.fbi.gov/caexplosion

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Original charges filed against Steven Beal: