Albert Lea Man Sentenced for Pipe Bomb, Police Chase and Drug Convictions

Albert Lea, MN (KROC-AM News)- A southern Minnesota man convicted on charges involving an explosive device, police chase and evacuation of a government center has been sent to prison. 

See Also: Warrant: Drunk Driver Caused Wrong-Way Crash on Hwy. 52 in Rochester 

The Freeborn County Government Center in Albert Lea was evacuated on July 5 of last year after Albert Lea Police discovered a homemade pipe bomb in a locked safe following a brief vehicle chase. 

Officers retrieved the safe from the suspect’s vehicle and brought it into the building after arresting the fleeing driver, identified as 48-year-old Adam Alan Pennhollow. 

Albert Lea Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Pipe Bomb That Resulted in Evacuation of Freeborn County Government Center

The chase began after an officer witnessed a possible fight outside a Walmart pharmacy and watched as Penhallow drove away in a small SUV before he was captured, the criminal complaint says. 

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Along with the explosive device, officers also found nine grams of methamphetamine in the safe. There were also baggies containing white residue in the vehicle, the complaint says. 

Law enforcement then executed a search warrant at Penhallow’s Albert Lea home and found a variety of guns, including a stockless rifle with a sawed-off barrel and a sound suppressor, according to the court document. 

Investigators also reported seizing two additional explosive devices and a partial home-built submachine gun, the charges say. 

In January, a Freeborn County Jury found Penhallow guilty of possession of an explosive device, possession of a firearm suppressor, felony fleeing, drug possession DWI, possession of ammunition and/or any firearm, and driving after revocation. 

On Thursday Penhallow was sentenced to 39 months in prison. The prison term is based on the explosive device conviction. 

He was given concurrent prison sentences for the other felony convictions in the case.