Less Than Week Before DNC, Man Found With Explosive Devices In Van
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police found a minivan that was double parked in Germantown, and red flags led to the bomb squad coming out.
Chief Inspector Scott Small says they weren't taking any chances.
"Especially with the Democratic National Convention coming up we're not too happy about finding anyone with explosive devices in this city."
It happened at 20th and Champlost around 9:30 Tuesday night.
Police say they found the double parked car with a 32-year-old man behind the wheel.
Police say they smelled pot, found a jar containing a purple syrup, believed to be codeine, and fireworks in plain view.
Small says the bomb squad determined the explosives were homemade.
"They had no manufacturing markings on them so they believe these were improvised devices. They're about the strength of a quarter stick of dynamite each. They also found several mortars."
There were also a pair of three-year-old kids in the back seat.
Police say Derek McKinney, 32, has been charged with endangering the welfare, possessing an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and possession of narcotics.