Probationer Arrested With Makings Of Bomb

As part of a routine procedure, Bullington placed her purse on a conveyor belt that passes beneath an X-ray machine and a metal detector. A security officer monitoring the machines detected the suspicious objects in Bullington's purse, Rapone said.

The purse was opened and found to contain what Rapone described as a ''pipe-bomb-like device" consisting of brass and copper pipe filled with gunpowder. The purse also contained wire, batteries and a pen with a small clock built into it, Rapone said.

The explosive device was removed by the police bomb squad and taken to the Police Academy, where it will be examined and detonated, Rapone said.

Bullington was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a destructive device. She was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Peter B. Scuderi and ordered held without bail pending a hearing Tuesday.

Rapone said his office was petitioning federal court to revoke Bullington's probation because of the arrest.