600 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in East Bay; 2 Suspects Arrested
NEWARK (CBS SF) -- Authorities arrested two East Bay men and seized 600 pounds of illegal fireworks from a van in Newark last week.
Undercover officers spotted the suspects about 7 p.m. Friday, allegedly selling the fireworks out of a van in the 37000 block of Elm Street, Newark police said in a news release.
Because the fireworks were deemed dangerous, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team was called to the scene to take them away for controlled disposal, police said.
In addition, police seized more than $33,000 in cash from the van.
The men, a 19-year-old from Newark and a 53-year-old from Pittsburg, were arrested on suspicion of felony possession of destructive or explosive devices, illegal sales of dangerous fireworks, and possession of dangerous fireworks without valid permit.
They were booked at Santa Rita Jail.
To report someone in possession, selling and/or lighting fireworks, call the Fireworks Hotline at (866)520-7233 (SAFE).
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