Warrant Served on Bowie Man

BOWIE, Md. - Prince George's County police served a search warrant at the home of a Bowie man overnight, looking for any possible connection in the recent sniper shootings.

A tip from the community led police to the home, said Police Chief Gerald Wilson. It is about two miles away from Benjamin Tasker Middle School, where a 13-year-old boy was shot Monday.

He said the information that led to the search warrant came in between 8 p.m. and when the search was conducted early Tuesday.

"If we get leads, we will response to that information," Wilson said. "If we have information that someone may be committing a crime, we are going to respond to it."

Police searched the home for about two hours starting at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police removed seven weapons from the house, a book and a computer. Sources say they did not, however, find a 223-caliber weapon, like the one allegedly being used by the sniper.

Police have not charged the Bowie man with any crime. The investigation continues.

Wilson said his office is not targeting people who own guns.

"We had probable cause that a crime could be occurring," he said.

At a morning news briefing, Wilson also warned local criminals, "You would be advised not take advantage of this situation."

(Copyright 2002 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)