Gridley Police: Man claims he built molotov cocktail for “self-defense”
Above: Ronald Montgomery booking photo | Gridley PD
A man was recently arrested in Gridley after police reportedly found a molotov cocktail in his vehicle.
On the morning of Sunday, May 30th, officers noticed a truck parked illegally across two disabled parking spots at the local library. The driver, identified as 53-year-old Ronald Montgomery, told officers he was parked in such a way because he was delivering newspapers to the library, according to police.
After discovering Montgomery was on active parole, officers searched his truck and reportedly discovered a molotov cocktail, which they say Montgomery later admitted to constructing for self-defense. Bomb squad and hazmat personnel responded to the scene to dispose of the device.
Montgomery was arrested and booked at the Butte County Jail on suspicion of possession of an explosive destructive device, possession of an explosive destructive device in a public place, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of parole. Police say he is being held on $516,000 bond.
