Man arrested after nearly 1,500 pounds of fireworks seized in Oxnard
Oxnard police seized nearly 1,500 pounds of fireworks and arrested a man Wednesday for the shipment.
The Oxnard Fire Department received a tip from a shipping business that received the fireworks from an out-of-state facility and contacted police, according to the Oxnard Police Department. They soon learned the shipment weighed in at 1,497 pounds and who it was intended for.
A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of dangerous fireworks, said police Sgt. Carey Everhart.
The Ventura County Bomb Squad assisted Oxnard fire with the transportation and storage of the seized fireworks.
Sheriff's Det. Dan Turock, bomb squad commander, said Thursday his agency took the fireworks and brought them to a safe storage facility. The shipment will eventually be handed over to the state's Office of the Fire Marshal, which is responsible for the disposal of fireworks.
"It's a large amount, and a pretty big case," Turock said.
Wednesday's seizure is the largest he knows of in his 12 or so years with the bomb squad.
Fireworks are illegal in nearly all cities in Ventura County, including Oxnard. Only Fillmore permits so-called safe and sane fireworks.
In Oxnard, residents face fines of up to $1,000 for using fireworks. The police also reminded residents to celebrate the Fourth of July safely and to respect their neighors and pets by not using fireworks.
Police asked for the public's help in reporting fireworks at the city's fireworks cell phone line at 805-307-6308, fireworks hotline at 805-394-5884 or by email fireworks@oxnardpd.org. Residents can also call the main non-emergency line at 805 385-7740.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 1 arrested after 1,500 pounds of fireworks seized in Oxnard
