Congressman says suspects in Boston bombings had cache of explosives as they fled

WASHINGTON – A member of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee says the two Boston Marathon bombing suspects had collected pipe bombs, grenades and improvised explosive devices before they confronted police.

Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger says the brother who fled after a gunfight overnight hurled some of the devices at police as he drove away in a stolen car. The other brother died in a shootout.

Ruppersberger says, “They clearly amassed a small arsenal of explosives.”

Ruppersberger, who was briefed by authorities, says law enforcement and intelligence officials plan to pivot from their search for the surviving suspect to learn whether the brothers had any help or contact from terrorist groups inside or outside the U.S.

Ruppersberger says authorities likely will ask Russian officials for evidence in Chechnya and other nearby Russian regions.