Blast outside synagogue in Santa Monica was a bomb...

Initially thought to be an accident...

A blast first thought to be an industrial accident outside a synagogue and community center was caused by a homemade explosive device and police have identified a suspect, authorities said Friday.

Bomb technicians and detectives conducted thorough examinations of the hunk of concrete and large pipe that flew some 25 feet (7 meters) into the air after the Thursday explosion at Chabad House Lubavitch of Santa Monica on Thursday.

The device appeared to have been deliberately constructed, Santa Monica police Sgt. Jay Trisler said in a statement.

Police have linked the device to Ron Hirsch, a 60-year-old transient known to spend time at synagogues and Jewish community centers seeking charity, Trisler said.

Based on his suspected involvement in this incident, Hirsch is considered extremely dangerous, Trisler said.