January 25, 1968
Next time it could be Murder
By Milt Sosin and Denis Sneigr
Anti-Castro Cuban exiles before dawn today blasted two Miami business houses that ship packages to Cuba and a garage owned by an American.
The American said he didn't know what it was all about and couldn't care less about Cuba.
A policeman, Sgt. Russel Leasburg, was injured slightly.He was investigating at one of the bomb sites when a second and delayed blast drove a piece of glass into his face.
The bombed spots were:
1. Servicios Especializados at 3526 W. Flagler St.Owned by Jose Valdez.Hit at 1:48 a.m.
2. Tiger's Garage, 333 SW 17th Ave.Owned by Jesse Tobar who lives behind the garage.Bombed at 2:01 a.m.
3. All cargo transport Inc., and All Travel Inc., both in the same store at 1707 Coral Way and both owned by Alberto Diaz.Hit at 2:10 a.m.
Two other businesses and a home adjoining the bombed shops were damaged.
At the bombing of All Cargo Transport, Whitener's Photo Lab, 1709 Coral Way, and Denning's Barber Shop, 1705 Coral Way, suffered minor blast damage.
Next door to Tiger's garage, a window was shattered in the home of Eleanor Mallais, 345 SW 17th Ave.
There was no immediate damage estimate for the two Cuban businesses.
Fire marshal Dewey Yates said the bombers used C-4, a plastic Military explosive that is set off by a copper-acid timer.
The acid eats through the copper, reaches the C-4, and causes it to explode.
"So far," said Yates, "these bombings have been crimes against property but tonight a policeman was injured.The next time it may be a policeman or a fireman or an owner will be killed.
"The people who are doing this will find themselves faced with a charge of first degree murder," Yates added.
"If the glass had been at a different angle or height, the policeman tonight may very well have been killed."
Leasburg was wounded at the site of the first bombing, Servicios Especializados.
Two bombs were place, police said.One was slipped into the front door's mail slot.The other was shoved against the outside of the door.
Leasburg said he was standing outside the store when the timer of the second bomb exploded and a sliver of glass hit his left cheek.
The plastic explosive of the second bomb did not blow.
Leasburg was treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital and released.Valdez, owner of Servicios Especializados, said he had received a threatening call two weeks ago.The caller warned the store would be bombed.
He also said he had packages aboard a Mexican Plane that was bombed at Miami Airport last Saturday.The plane had been carrying packages to Cuba via Merida, Mexico.
The second place to be hit was Tiger's garage, a paint and body shop at 333 SW 17th Ave., operated by and American, Jesse Tobar, who said he had nothing to do with Cuba.
Tobar said he was asleep in his cottage at the rear of his shop when the explosion awakened him.
"I came out with my carbine but there was nobody here.If I knew who did it, I'd be after him," Tobar said.
"I have some Cuban customers but no dissatisfied ones.I'm an American," he added."I've got nothing to say about Cuba and I couldn't care less."
He estimated damage at $300 to the doors, plaster, and a car inside the garage.
At the third bombing - All Cargo Transport and All Travel, Inc. - the explosive was dropped in the mail slot.The blast wrecked the door and interior and smashed a show window.