Mailbox Bomber Arrested

Within three days five mailboxes were destroyed by an unknown explosive device. The incidents occurred between March 12- March 15, 2021 with four of the incidents occurring in Mesa and one taking place in Gilbert. Evidence collected from the last incident left officers believing the explosive devices used were some sort of consumer firework.

During the investigations, officers discovered three of the Mesa cases had video footage from surveillance cameras which captured the suspect vehicle. Officers utilized police databases to search for a maroon Hyundai Sonata between the years of 2006-2010.

One such vehicle was associated with forty-year-old John Janecek. In addition, John was found in videos on social media making and setting off consumer fireworks. 

After obtaining a search warrant for John’s phone records, officers found that he had been in the area of the first Mesa incident, followed by the Gilbert incident shortly after.

On April 15, 2021, officers located and detained John pursuant to the search warrant. His cellphone was seized, and John was questioned. John denied blowing up any mailboxes but said he did have “materials” that he thought he should not have, so he had them destroyed. John continued to talk to officers, making incriminating statements about blowing up mailboxes, but would then stop and correct himself. 

Another search warrant was obtained for John’s social media content.  Officers found one message John sent to an individual which said, “You sure have been a lot of mailboxes disappearing.”

May 28, 2021 John was arrested by Mesa Police Officers. In a spontaneous statement, John told officers he apologized to the business owner from the first incident and paid him $30 as restitution for destroying the mailbox.

John went on further to confess to blowing up at least three mailboxes.

Any case involving explosive devices is extremely concerning for the community and law enforcement officers. Mesa Police Officers worked continuously to develop leads and obtain undisputed evidence to locate John and arrest him. We are proud of our officers and all their efforts to bring resolution to not only our community, but the Gilbert community as well. 

John was booked into Maricopa County Jail for the following charges:

5 counts 1^st Degree Burglary, ARS 13-1508A, a class 3 felony (entering a nonresidential structure while in possession of explosives)

5 counts Disorderly Conduct, ARS 13-2904A6, a class 6 felony (recklessly handling a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family, or person)

1 count Possession of Dangerous Drugs, ARS 13-3407A1, a class 4 felony