UPDATE: Now the NYPD is saying: “They are witnesses, there are no criminal charges, they are not in jeopardy of being arrested.”
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Possible accomplices of the “lone wolf” Ahmad Khan Rahami.
“Chelsea bombing: FBI seek 2 who removed IED for questioning,” by Bart Jones, Newsday, September 21, 2016:
The FBI Wednesday released a surveillance photo of “two unknown individuals” wanted in connection with their investigation into the Chelsea bombing, saying agents want to question the two — who are believed to have taken the luggage containing one of the explosive devices.
The surveillance photo was taken on West 27th Street, between 6th and 7th avenues, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday — the same time period, the FBI said, “that an explosive device had detonated on West 23rd Street.”
In a statement released with the photo, the FBI said: “Closed circuit television recordings indicate that these individuals allegedly located a piece of luggage on the sidewalk, removed an improvised explosive device from the luggage, and then left the vicinity leaving the device behind but taking the luggage.”
The FBI said agents not only want to speak to the pair, but that they also want to recover the luggage.
Anyone with information is being asked to call the FBI’s toll-free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or their local FBI office or even the nearest American Embassy or Consulate….

berserker says
Why would “accomplices” remove the device from the suitcase and leave it exposed making it more likely to be discovered?
Ashley says
Right?
I’m scratching my head as well…
I’m also curious why this story has only now surfaced. This happened Saturday night. Today is Wednesday.
gravenimage says
They may have just been thieves or scavengers. Things left unattended on New York sidewalks often disappear pretty quickly–they may have just taken the suitcase.
If they *are* accomplices, it would only make sense if, for example, they placed the explosive device in a trash can–where it would likely be undetected.
The theory I have heard is the former–but information is still unfolding.
Ashley says
In a statement released with the photo, the FBI said: “Closed circuit television recordings indicate that these individuals allegedly located a piece of luggage on the sidewalk, removed an improvised explosive device from the luggage, and then left the vicinity leaving the device behind but taking the luggage.”
_____________________
Hi Graven,
I guess I just can’t wrap my head around why ANYONE would risk touching an explosive device just to score a piece of luggage. Some reports describe this piece of luggage as an airline “tote bag” containing a pressure cooker. NYPD has received some 400+ reports of suspicious packages since Saturday’s bombing. So I would think MOST sane people would be wary of approaching an unattended backpack or piece of luggage on a city street…even the common street thug.
I also think these knuckleheads should be arrested if apprehended. They KNOWINGLY removed the device and could very possibly have set the damn thing off.
I just find the whole story most curious…
One or both of these “unknowns” physically removed this IED. The general protocol
Ashley says
Ugh! Ignore that last sentence! I didn’t intend to keep it hanging in my comment.
Winning says
I agree with u,
If it was just a pressure cooker they found inside the bag, then again 2 questions,
1. They were not aware it was an explosive, they just saw a pressure cooker, discarded the pressure cooker and went away with the bag.
2. Why would anyone be interested in a torn bag? Not a pressure cooker?
If it was a device looking like an explosive why didn’t they call police
gravenimage says
Ashley, it is possible that these clowns didn’t know–or didn’t know ahead of time–that this was an explosive device.
I really do love New York, but it is not an exaggeration that some people there will walk off with anything that isn’t nailed down. I saw a couple of guys try to walk off with some mannequins in the garment district *while the delivery person was unloading the truck*.
The question I have is whether this device was really unattended, or if this pair has a link to the terror attack.
mortimer says
VANISHING, Mayor de Blasio? Yes, the jihadists ‘VANISH’ into the Muslim community, don’t they? Then they reappear, don’t they? Then they ‘VANISH’.
Are the jihadists a ‘mirage’? Are the jihadists ‘real’? Let’s pretend there’s no problem called ‘jihad’. Maybe the problem will go away if we ignore it.
Champ says
mohammedan magic tricks known as taqiyya …courtesy muhammad’s unholy playbook of murder & mayhem.
Angemon says
Is the FBI sure it is not a “homemade” clock?
kangi_nunpa says
No idea if it was a clock, but I think they could’ve worked “luggage” into their sentence a couple more times.
Winning says
The person commented after you did not obviously under stand the cirsasm involving Ahmad the clock bomb guy.
DFD says
Hi Folks,
somewhat off topic for this particular thread. However, as a matter of general interest I believe this to be worth having a closer look, depends how deep you want to dig, of course.
Anyway, here it is, and sorry for the intrusion if you don’t think it worthy to be considered
http://soros.dcleaks.com/
PS: ‘DC Leaks’ isn’t just about George Soros, originally Mr. György Schwartz, there are quite a few other things from DC.
Jaci G says
“Why would “accomplices” remove the device from the suitcase and leave it exposed making it more likely to be discovered?”
Just a thought here. Ahmed left his fingerprints on a number of bomb items and used his own cell phone. What if this bag that was used to hold the bomb could be directly tied to someone else? I find it hard to believe that thieves would empty a bag before making off with it. Turns out these two are middle eastern men. PC thinking in the trash, I’d want to talk to these guys – we know now that Ahmed was not a “lone wolf”.
Carmel says
We should all ask Obama to bring back to USA the cute little fake Clock Bomb
Boy of this spring . Such an afghan ” genius ” can surely help . Where is he when we need him so much ?
Paul Clark says
Where are the Christians? Have they fled the cross?
gravenimage says
Actually, there are many devout Christians in New York City. What exactly are you asking about?
Jaladhi says
These guys are nothing but accomplices – the beard is a dead giveaway for Muslim.
underbed cat says
The first I heard or read about this, it was a homeless person who found the bag in a trash bin,removed the item and took the bag, but called the police. That sounded totally unrealistic, this photo does not look to be homeless but maybe something else, like someone made a call to say, go and take off the timer…it will lead to someone and might expose someone or cause a united front against the terror. Wow…somehow I don’t think they will turn themselves in, but they may get spotted out if still in town…hopefully. That makes this situation more intriguing in my opinion..but also gets me resentful that they can so openly carry on ….too many men look like this even my area.
Caliph says
I think these 2 are accomplices.
Like several people above mentioned, why would someone empty the bag – if you are going to “take” something left on the street, you are going to take all of it.
— Let us suppose you saw someone “take” ( steal ) a bag left on the street, open it, and casually throw something from the bag in the trash ( like they were discarding something they didn’t want ) WOULD your first thought be, “maybe they don’t want some guys dirty clothes, and that’s why they are throwing that stuff away” OR would you be thinking “they are part of a bombing plot, duck and cover!” – I’d bet most people would think the first thought – they would assume they are safe as those two guys appear to be safe and are not afraid of what was in the bag – they are just stealing stuff. – another form of deception – I suspect this was a trial run for another stragedy for a future bombing.
underbed cat says
A normal person might avoid a bag left on the street, especially if they see a device.inside..who in their right mind would touch it unless they knew how to handle it, and render it safe…they would not throw it away cause it would have prints? I think they were sent to the location, they left the device behind right?
Seems weird to take the bag it must have been dark…..no one else around location? Just curious. No other video? The beards if they have them look short or clean.
Carmel says
It has been 48 hours since this photo was made public and we still don’t have any news of what are the names of these guys , where they work ( ????), and where they live ? Come on.