A man was arrested after planting an alleged explosive device outside the Torrance courthouse, prompting an evacuation and a bomb squad response. According to aKTLA report, the suspicious package was found approximately 30 feet from the courthouse’s entrance around 7 a.m. Wednesday was investigated using a robot and eventually deemed safe after more than three hours. The package, seen in Sky5 footage, appeared to have been left on a bench.
With the courthouse closed as a safety precaution throughout Wednesday, a 56-year-old man from Redondo Beach was later arrested in connection with the incident. As detailed byFOXLA, the bomb squad found not only the device, resembling an orange balloon on a bench but also a cooler and a note stating in all caps, “these get bigger.” After detonating the device, a significant alarm was caused in the vicinity, described by Carolina Castro, who was across the street during the explosion. “It was a pretty loud bang,” she said. “It scared a lot of people.”
The suspect was taken into custody on Friday and charged with the use of a destructive device. He was booked at the Torrance Police Department with bail set at $500,000. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Arson Explosive Detail is investigating further, with the assistance of the FBI.CBS News Los Angelesnoted that upon inspection, the orange balloon seemingly attached to a cooler or large water jug was prodded by a robot until it popped, revealing a small fireball. Following the safe detonation, the courthouse resumed normal operations.
Authorities are still seeking information and have invited the public to come forward with any pertinent details. Witnesses or anyone else with knowledge of the incident are encouraged to contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Arson Explosives Detail at 323-881-7500. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or via their website, as per theLos Angeles County Sheriffs Dept Information Bureau.
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