Elgin Man Accused Of Selling Illegal Fireworks To Police

ELGIN, IL — A 19-year-old Elgin man is facing felony charges after the Kane County Sheriff’s Office said he set up a makeshift fireworks store in his home. Angel Lopez was arrested this week at his home in the 400 block of St. Charles Street in the city as officials try to crack down on illegal fireworks after a huge increase in 911 calls across the region.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office said deputies searched Lopez's home and found commercial- and consumer-grade fireworks — including quarter sticks — as well as materials needed to make explosive devices and fireworks.

Lopez was charged with three counts of possessing an explosive or incendiary device, five counts of possessing bombs or grenades, and four counts of transferring explosive material without a license, all felonies, according to Kane County court records.

Samuel Calderon, 36, of Aurora, also faces explosives-related charges after police alleged he set up a fireworks store in his home, according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said the devices that were seized are "dangerous explosive devices that should not be in the hands (of) unlicensed and untrained people." Hain warned residents that the sheriff’s bomb squad is set to patrol areas of the county July 4 and help local police with large-scale investigations into fireworks and explosives.