PUEBLO - Pueblo Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor announced today that 47-year-old Robert Howard Bruce has been arrested on the following charges:

• Three counts of Criminal Attempt to commit First Degree Murder 18-2-101
• Intimidation of a witness CRS 18-8-704
• Possession of an incendiary device 18-12-109
• Third Degree Criminal Trespass 18-4-504

Police say Bruce is accused of trying to blow up a Pueblo police officers home. His trial for sexual offense charges was scheduled to begin Tuesday morning. The officer, who was targeted in the attack, was scheduled to testify against Bruce in court the same day.

Police say Bruce never showed up to court.

Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor released the following statement -

In 2007 181 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. These are dismal figures that cause all in the community to pause. Yet, even though outrageous; It is even more disturbing that a law enforcement officer's family would be included in some plot or at least with a deliberate indifference some actor would consider killing an officer's family!

Pueblo is a wonderful community and we have many law enforcement officers that live in our community, and nothing shocks our collective conscience more that a plot to kill an officer but also his family. In Pueblo West we are fortunate to have brothers and sisters in law enforcement living in the community. Many different agencies from all over the state have residences in the beautiful and safe community of Pueblo West. This isolated event will not detract from the wonderful life that is our community of Pueblo as a whole. Yet, this action did occur and evidence indicates that Mr. Bruce was the actor who decided to disturb our community.

The two biggest law enforcement organizations in Pueblo work very close and very well together. We have outstanding relationships with other law enforcement entities such as Colorado Parole. In short we have all worked very closely together to ensure this type of attempt is not only disrupted, but that it is investigated, that it is jointly observed and that a decent case is given to the District Attorney. This case is not done being investigated. In many ways we have only just begun and there much work to do, but we had enough today to ensure to the public and our citizens of Pueblo that he should be arrested and held accountable. The Sheriff's office has been responsive to tragedies that face all citizens in Pueblo West and the entirety of the county. There is proven track record that those that murder or plot to murder are sought, investigated and they will receive their day in court. We stand ready to help the people, the district attorney seek justice with prudent, timely and professional investigations.

All Pueblo Police Officers and all Sheriff's Deputies indeed all law enforcement officers know that if an actor is willing to prey upon those in charge of our safety (law enforcement) they really have no regard whatsoever for those of you who depend upon our diligence and our peace of mind.

I would like to especially thank Pueblo Police Chief Jim Billings for his attendance today.

Sheriff Taylor also commented, "Regardless who the victim is, we would go to these measures to pursue justice."

Pueblo Police Chief Jim Billings stated, "Law enforcement officers prepare themselves to be targeted while they are on duty, but it is much different to be off duty home with your family and have something this extreme happen."

This complex investigation is still on-going.

47-year-old Robert Bruce was arrested Tuesday evening in Pueblo for failure to appear in court.  But here's the catch...the officer that was targeted in the attack was scheduled to testify against him in court.

NEWSCHANNEL 13 obtained the arrest affidavit from Robert Bruce's arrest in July of 2007.  Bruce was caught peeping into a woman's window while she lay in bed.  One of the arresting officers named in the affidavit is Nathan Pruce.

"This is still a very complex investigation," said Deputy Laurie Kilpatrick with the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.  The Sheriff's Office is in charge of the investigation because the officer lives in Pueblo West.  So far no charges have been filed against Bruce.  Authorities are searching for evidence that may connect him to a propane tank found with a hose leading into officer Nathan Pruce's garage.

"Two search warrants were executed for both Mr. Bruce's car and his home," said Kilpatrick.  "Investigators are following leads currently on both of those warrants."

One of those leads is a GPS device that was found in Bruce's car.  Authorities are checking the device to see if it may have been used to locate the officers home.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Police, Michael Bennett says the incident raises several questions about the safety of officers.

"I think all officers are always a little bit concerned about the amount of access that the everyday citizen has to find out where everybody lives and their contact information," explained Bennett.  "When you're off duty you still run into these, you see them at the grocery store, shopping at Wal-Mart.  And they recognize you."