Four Detained After Explosives Discovered on Beach

By Lookout Staff

September 9 -- Four suspects were detained at the beach early Friday morning after police officers located two pipe bombs and a large quantity of illegal fireworks.

Officers responding at 4:38 a.m. to reports of suspicious activity heard “several loud popping noises,” said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman.

The officers located and detained four subjects on the beach, Fabrega said. During their investigation, the officers located two homemade explosive devices, or pipe bombs.

Police closed off the area and notified the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad, Fabrega said.

The bomb squad examined the devices and detonated two pipe bombs on the beach, police said. Additional explosive devices and a large quantity of illegal fireworks also were recovered.

It is unknown what the illegal fireworks are worth, but authorities estimated that they recovered approximately 3,000 to 4,000 firecrackers, several bottle rockets and several roman candles.

The area was re-opened at 11 a.m.

The suspects were taken to the Santa Monica Jail and are being interviewed by detectives.