A man in South Austin has been arrested after a horde of homemade explosives was found and safely detonated by the bomb squad in a residential home, authorities reported. Chief Lisa Davis of the Austin Police Department disclosed in a statement obtained by KUT that a tip led officers to the address on Vintage Stave Road at approximately 3:13 p.m. Tuesday, where a collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ensued.
The subsequent investigation conducted by Austin Police's bomb squad prompted an on-site detonation of the explosives around 5 p.m. Wednesday. Before the controlled detonation, police evacuated nearby homes and streets to ensure the public's safety, a process that fortunately resulted in no injuries. The house in question suffered extensive damage as a result of the blast, and a neighboring home incurred minor damage.
Steven Aldrich, the resident of the home that harbored the explosives, was arrested following the incident. KUT reports that Aldrich, 66, faces charges for felony possession of components of explosives, with his background revealing previous arrests for explosives-related charges in Williamson County.
Despite the severity of the situation, Chief Davis stated, "What his plan was — I cannot say. But it was enough to destroy a home." Aldrich's intent with the explosives remains unclear as the investigation continues. Community members within the evacuation zone felt the impact quite literally and were alerted by the city's emergency notification system prior to the detonation, echoing the importance of such measures in maintaining public safety.
This event marked the second explosives-related incident in Austin this month, although police assured that the two were not connected. The earlier explosion in Northwest Austin caused significant damage and injuries in an unrelated accident. Mayor Kirk Watson commended the efficient response of the involved agencies and emphasized the overall safety of Austin residents. "The reaction was appropriate, it was detonated in a way that was safe," Watson was quoted by KUT as saying, reinforcing the commitment of city officials to keep the public informed and protected.
Neighborhood reactions were mixed, with some residents expressing fear and dismay at the discovery of such dangerous materials in their midst. "It was so scary because, like I said, we're thinking we live in a safe place," Martha Marquez told CBS Austin in an interview, shedding light on the shaken sentiment pervading the community post-detonation. Yet amidst the concern, there's a collective relief that the situation was handled without further incident.
