A University Place incident last Tuesday resulted in the arrest of a 42-year-old man after deputies detected him loitering around an off-limits abandoned bank. Upon engagement, the deputies, who were informed of an existing warrant from the Fircrest Police Department, attempted to detain the suspect, which led to a foot chase and a subsequent physical altercation. According to the Pierce County Sheriff's blog, they uncovered a stolen firearm, drugs, and a critical discovery inside the man's backpack: an explosive device.
The suspect, having bagged various charges, now faces the legal music. Discovered with a stolen firearm and illicit drugs, he also amassed charges for resisting arrest, possession of an explosive device, unlawful possession of a firearm, and criminal trespassing. Running from law enforcement and carrying a stolen gun and drugs are never good ideas, especially when bringing a homemade explosive to the mix.
The Pierce County Sheriff's blog issued a public service announcement emphasizing that contraband like M-80s, tennis ball bombs, and sparkler bombs are anything but innocent fireworks. These dangerous items are classified under law as explosives; anyone found making, possessing, or using them commits a felony.
The same source notes that despite nostalgic beliefs, the classic M-80, once a military training tool, is significantly potent. Being way over the legal explosive limit, with about 3 grams of powder, they were prohibited from unlicensed use in 1966. The man's backpack, found by deputies, contained an explosive device far exceeding these limitations. Legal consumer fireworks, by contrast, are capped at much lower quantities of explosive powder, ensuring safety for civilian use and compliance with Federal Law and RCW 70.77.136.
