LBPD Seizes Over 1,000 Pounds of Fireworks At Three Locations: Two in NLB, One in Memorial Hts Area Near Wrigley
(July 3, 2014) -- LBPD says that on July 2, it seized over 1,000 pounds of fireworks at three locations -- two in NLB and one in Memorial Hts area just east of Wrigley -- with an estimated street value of close to $10,000.
Possession or sale of any fireworks is illegal in Long Beach...and from the description of the items in the release, at least some of the items -- like mortars -- sound like they allegedly went beyond the "safe and sane" fireworks allowed in other area cities.
In a release, LBPD says two of the arrests stemmed from officers spotting online advertisements. The trifecta of seized items all went down on July 2:
[scroll down for details including photos]
West Division Directed Enforcement Officers began working a investigation into the sale of illegal fireworks which resulted in the confiscation of high powered fireworks. Officers spotted an online firework ad, responded to the area of LB Blvd/Artesia Blvd, identified a suspect they identify as Erik Alvarado-Ramirez, 24, of Compton, and took him into custody on suspicion of fireworks related charges. The officers seized several mortars and other fireworks weighing about 100 pounds.
Shortly thereafter, the officers spotted another online firework ad.which led them to a shopping center in the area of Spring St./Atlantic Ave where an individual was allegedly selling fireworks from his vehicle. Officers took him into custody for firework related charges. He's identified as Julio Flores, 25, of Pico Rivera...and LBPD says a subsequent search of his vehicle turned up "high powered fireworks, including mortars, a mortar tube, and several large boxes of miscellaneous fireworks, totaling approximately 200 pounds" with a street value (including the fireworks from the previous incident) totaling roughly $700.
LBPD photo
On the same day, LBPD North Division officers "confiscated 715 lbs of fireworks during a traffic stop and subsequent search of a nearby residence in the area of 72nd Street & Orange Avenue. During the incident, 51 boxes of "Excaliber" and 8 boxes of "Rolling in the Dough" fireworks were confiscated, with a value of over $8,800." The suspect was identified as Sergio Guerrero, 23, of Long Beach [no word in the release on what happened to him.]
LBPD photo
As previously reported on LBRPEPORT.com, on June 24, LBPD officers located an online ad regarding fireworks available for sale in the Long Beach area and their investigation led them to Compton, where officers found 454 pounds of [release text allegations] "assorted high caliber pyrotechnics with a street value of over $5,000." confiscated the fireworks (photo below) and cited a suspect who's now required to appear in court.
LBPD states:
[LBPD text] All fireworks, including those marked as "Safe and Sane" are illegal in the City of Long Beach. Anyone cited or arrested for fireworks violations may be faced with a $1,000 fine, sentenced to six months in jail, or both. The fines and penalties may increase depending on the fireworks' classification. Fireworks may be voluntarily disposed of at collection bins located at Lifeguard Headquarters, 2100 E. Ocean Boulevard (on the West side of the Junipero lot), and at all police stations.
If you 'See Something, Say Something!’ Call Long Beach Police Dispatch at (562) 435-6711 or 9-1-1 if an immediate police response is necessary. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
