Explosives Scare Evacuates Area Around Seventh St.

Reports of a Long Beach man having possible explosives in a home that appeared rigged for detonation - an eery echo of the Colorado movie theater suspect's apartment - required a bomb squad and evacuation of the area before the scene was deemed safe early Sunday.

A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a hoax device and his name was not released by Long Beach Police Department's spokeswoman Nancy Pratt. She said he was booked at Long Beach City Jail and was not immediately sure if the charge was a felony or misdemeanor, nor whether the man threatened or menaced someone with the fake device.

The police department's SWAT team also was employed before the home in the 1700 block of E. Seventh Street, east of Cherry, was determined of no risk to surrounding homes or businesses, Pratt said Sunday.

The incident is what led officials to close Seventh Street between Walnut and Cherry avenues to traffic from midday Saturday until early Sunday as a precaution while the investigation was underway.

The incident actually began Friday evening and stretched into early Sunday, said Long Beach PD's Pratt.

For the full report, read the department's press release as follows:

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, Long Beach Police arrested a Long Beach man at his residence after an investigation was initiated for possible possession of explosive materials.

On Friday, July 20, 2012, at approximately 5:25 p.m., Long Beach Police responded to a residence in the 1700 block of E. 7th Street regarding a male subject with a suspicious device.

When officers arrived, they discovered several suspicious devices affixed to the subject's vehicle.  Officers conducting the investigation determined that no explosive material was found on the subject’s vehicle or in his possession; however, the investigation remained ongoing.

Information gathered through the follow-up investigation led officers back to the subject’s residence on Saturday, July 21, 2012, at approximately 1:05 p.m., where he was taken into custody. Believing the suspect may have explosive material inside his residence, the apartment complex was immediately evacuated and secured.  Through additional information gathered, detectives believed the suspect’s residence may have been outfitted with devices that would discharge upon manual detonation.  Therefore, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad was requested and a search warrant was obtained to conduct a search of the residence.
Due to the circumstances, the Long Beach Police Department’s S.W.A.T. Team was activated for the added protection of the Bomb Squad and the surrounding community. As a further precaution, residents and businesses surrounding the target location were also evacuated.

Upon entering the residence, the Bomb Squad located components of explosive devices and rendered them safe, however, no explosive material was found.  The investigative team collected the evidence and believes the suspect had these measures in place for his personal protection and the protection of his property.  At approximately 1:00 a.m. this morning, the area was deemed safe and all evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the suspect is only being identified as a 60-year-old Long Beach resident.  He was booked for possession of a hoax device and is being held at the Long Beach City Jail on $20,000 bail.

The Long Beach Police Department would like to thank the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, the FBI, the Long Beach Fire Department, and Long Beach Search and Rescue for their assistance and support. 

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Long Beach Police Violent Crimes Detective David Ternullo at (562) 570-7250.  Anonymous tips may be submitted via text or web by visiting www.tipsoft.com.