He is believed to have purchased the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder that was parked on West 45th Street at around 6:30 PM May 1. Fireworks, gasoline and propane tanks were found in the back of the S.U.V.; the materials failed to explode despite an attempt to ignite the material.

The smoking S.U.V. prompted a shutdown and partial evacuation of a section of Times Square and the Broadway theatre district.

The investigation is ongoing. A home in Bridgeport, CT, has been raided.

Despite the crude nature of the bomb, the Justice Department is characterizing the crime as a terrorist act intended to harm Americans.

Police tracked down the Nissan's previous owner and found Shahzad via email and phone records associated with the cash sale of the vehicle.