WATERVILLE — A Waterville man faces charges of criminal use of explosives after making and detonating chemical bottle bombs on Sherwin Street, according to police.

Chad Cookson, 41, of 16 Sherwin St., crafted the bombs by mixing chemicals inside 2-liter soda bottles, police Chief Joseph Massey said Monday.

Cookson admitted to making six bottle devices and reported that all but one detonated, Massey said. “According to him, he had seen it on the Internet, decided he wanted to try it and in fact, got the chemicals, put them together and put them into the bottles,” he said.

The bottle bombs are dangerous and unpredictable, Massey said.

“I don’t think there was any intent by Mr. Cookson to hurt anybody, but it’s really reckless conduct,” Massey said.

Police called the State Fire Marshal’s Office about the bottle devices and investigator Ken McMaster worked with officer Jen Weaver on the case, Massey said. McMaster and Weaver interviewed Cookson, he said.

Police learned of the bombs after a man brought pieces of the plastic bottles to the police department Saturday, Massey said. “He said he found the pieces of the 2-liter bottles strewn all over the sidewalk and of course, he was very, very concerned,” Massey said. “They had a very strong smell of chemicals to them.”

The man reported the bombs were detonated, causing very loud explosions in the Sherwin Street area, he said.

Criminal use of explosives is a class C Felony, he said. Cookson is scheduled to appear in Kennebec County Superior Court in Augusta August 11.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com