Three Long Beach Explosions From Early July 4 Lead to Arrest

A Long Beach teenager was arrested on a felony after allegedly igniting and exploding three makeshift fireworks in West Long Beach in what police warn is part of a July 4 holiday crackdown.

The Long Beach Police Department said no one was injured in the call to the 2000 block of Adriatic Way, near Admiral Kidd Park about 6 p.m. Monday night. The caller reported what a department spokesman termed a "pyrotechnic."

"The calling party told officers that someone was putting something into plastic bottles and then blowing them up," according to a department press announcement.

Police said they found evidence of three explosions from what they cast as an effort to get a jump on the Independence Day holiday. Eric Lopez, 18, of Long Beach, was arrested and jailed on suspicion of possession and manufacture of a destructive device, which police said is a felony.

The department cautioned that instructions for such explosive devices are readily available and elaborate on that here. They add:

"Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Detail at (562) 570-7250.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visithttp://www.lacrimestoppers.org/."