The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad was called to the scene, and Santa Clara Avenue was closed for about 90 minutes while squad personnel removed the device and rendered it safe. The device, according to a Bomb Squad spokesman, turned out to be a sparkler bomb - consisting of numerous sparkler fireworks taped together and a fuse - about eight inches long and one inch in diameter.The driver, James Thomas Jacquez, 41, of Santa Paula, was booked into Ventura County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and felony possession of an explosive device on a public highway. Reportedly Jacquez was also wanted in connection with a theft in Riverside County and was the subject of a protection order. Bail for Jacquez was set at $70,000.
CHP: Santa Paula man arrested for DUI, possession of ‘sparkler bomb’
June 10, 2009
Santa Paula News
A Santa Paula man was arrested on multiple charges last week after a California Highway Patrol officer made a routine traffic stop and discovered the vehicle contained a homemade bomb.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Santa Paula man was arrested on multiple charges last week after a California Highway Patrol officer made a routine traffic stop and discovered the vehicle contained a homemade bomb. According to a CHP spokesman, the June 1 incident started after the motorist was observed driving erratically as he was exiting the northbound off ramp of the 101 Freeway at Rice Avenue.The driver was pulled over by the CHP officer on Santa Clara Avenue near Ventura Boulevard in Oxnard at about 8:20 p.m. After arresting the motorist on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, the CHP officer spotted what he believed to be an explosive device under the driver’s seat.
