A man who built a bomb at a downtown Des Moines restaurant claims he did it to prove a point to society, police say.

Ivory Lee Washington, 40, constructed the improvised explosive device Tuesday while at Akebono 515 just to see if anyone would stop him.

"He said his motive was frustration that people in our society don't care about safety," said Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek, "and he was making a point that he could construct a device in public without anyone calling the police."

Washington was, it seems, correct about no one reporting his activity. Police were called about 6:40 p.m. to the restaurant only after the suspect called DMPD himself.

Nam Tran, the owner of the restaurant, said he saw the man hop from table to table Tuesday, plugging an unknown device into outlets throughout the eatery.

"I thought (he was charging) his phone," Tran said. "I wasn't close enough to see."

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Washington fashioned the device out of various items inside a sealed container, according to online court records. Police say he admitted to purchasing the items for the purpose of making an explosive.

The IED was legitimate and could have exploded had it been ignited or come into contact with static electricity. A bomb squad was called in, the restaurant was evacuated and Washington was taken into custody without incident, Parizek said. The device was stabilized and moved with little disruption to the surrounding community.

Washington, who has no prior criminal history in Polk County, is charged with possession of explosive or incendiary material with intent. He is being held on a $25,000 bond and is next due in court Jan. 25. An attorney has not yet been listed for him online.

No one was hurt, and Tran said his restaurant is safe despite the frightening incident.

"I was just surprised," he said Wednesday. "You never would expect it."

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