Man gets 5 months in prison for transporting fireworks that LAPD detonated in botched disposal, court documents show
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was driving on the beach at Santa Monica, California when he was stopped by police and found to be in possession of fireworks that were deemed safe but not in compliance with the city’s fire code.
After police searched his vehicle they found several boxes of fireworks, including large, potentially dangerous, red and green fireworks that had no warning tags. They were packed in a package labeled “Fireworks Safety Kit” but which a prosecutor argued amounted to an illegal bomb.
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Danger: The man was driving on the beach at Santa Monica, California when he was stopped by police and found to be in possession of fireworks
The man was arrested and a search of his home revealed a backpack filled with explosives, a timer and one tube for a smoke bomb. When police searched his car they found a second timer, a clock and a second smoke bomb. They also found a third tube which they suspected would fit a second smoke bomb.
He was charged with two counts of transportation of explosives by train and one count of transportation of explosives by a vehicle.
The case was investigated by investigators from the Santa Monica Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.
The prosecutors in the case say the firework packages that the man was allegedly transporting had no warning tag to indicate that they were illegal.
However, their attorneys argued that the ‘warning tag’ is a crucial item to help prevent injuries as the fireworks are ignited.
Lethal: The man was arrested after authorities found a second tube for a smoke bomb in the man’s car and searched his home
On May 11, a judge ruled the man could be released on $15,000 bail.
He will remain in jail until his next court date.
Lawyers for the man,