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Hemet man charged in violent attacks against police
This image provided by the Hemet Police Department shows Nicholas John Smit who was arrested Friday July 2, 2010, being held on a suspicion of making a booby trap and assault on a police officer with intent to commit murder.
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AP Photo/Hemet Police Department
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A Riverside County jury has found a Hemet man guilty of masterminding a string of violent attacks against police officers.
Nicolas Smit was convicted of 11 felony counts, including attempted murder of a peace officer and conspiracy.
Smit’s brazen attacks against police began two years ago. Prosecutors say he or someone working for him rerouted a gas line in a failed attempt to trigger an explosion at a Hemet gang task force station. Smit was also convicted of creating or overseeing trip-wired booby traps, attempted car bombings, even a failed bazooka assault.
No one was hurt, but the attacks damaged police property and city vehicles.
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Prosecutors say Smit was targeting a police detective who busted him two years ago for drug possession. Many of the attacks coincided with Smit’s scheduled court dates.
Nicolas Smit could receive life in prison when he’s sentenced for his crimes. His alleged accomplice faces trial later this year.
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