Times Square Pathfinder Bomb: Worst Craigslist Connection Ever

Marty Padgett

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1993 Nissan Pathfinder

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We won't go as far as one public-relations professional, who called it the "worst product placement ever"--but surely the Nissan Pathfinder converted into a bomb this weekend, the one that fizzled out before it detonated, has been plunked down front and center in the news world.

And funny enough, it's also knitted into the world of automotive social media through classified-ad provider Craigslist.

According to CBS News, the 1993 Pathfinder (of the same generation as the vehicle shown above) was purchased for $1300 in cash a few weeks ago from a New York area woman who listed it on Craigslist, in a transaction conducted in $100 bills. The former owner, 19-year-old Peggy Colas, a student at Post University in Connecticut, is not considered a suspect.

The Pathfinder was packed with propane tanks, timing devices and fireworks and was hurriedly parked in Times Square on Saturday evening at about 6:30 p.m. A witness alerted police to the smoking SUV, and officers cleared Times Square of citizens and tourists while a robot disabled the bomb.

The alleged bomber switched the Pathfinder's plates with those from a vehicle located in a repair shop in Connecticut.

Authorities discovered the Pathfinder's VIN number had been partly obliterated, but tracked down the owner from the same numbers etched into its engine block and transaxle.

This morning, authorities have confirmed an arrest has been made in the case, and that they have detained an American citizen, 30-year-old Faisal Shahzad, in connection with the case. Shahzad is understood to have spent time in Pakistan lately, though any connection to international terror has not been established. The FBI also has pulled passengers from a New York to Dubai flight on Emirates Airlines, as they investigate the potential ring of suspects involved in the failed bombing attempt.

[CBS News; New York Times; photo via Wikipedia Commons]