Drug Bust Turns Up Bomb Parts

RIPON — An 18-year-old Waterford male has rather shown himself a man of many hats, having been arrested in Ripon this past Saturday after a drug bust evolved into a full-on bomb call.

Credit: Ripon Police Department

Taken from the top, it began on Saturday around 12:30 PM when officers responded to a call from a business in the 100 block of North Wilma Avenue — someone had phoned in a report of a suspicious person in the area. Officers caught up with a grey Toyota Tacoma truck, wherein they discovered marijuana, possible marijuana hash, and components associated with the construction of an explosive device.

After the Manteca Police Department bomb squad and Ripon Fire Department were called to the scene, “businesses and residences in the immediate area were advised of the situation, and voluntary evacuations were completed,” according to Sgt. Steve Merchant via news release.

Bomb squad technicians conducted a thorough examination of the truck, discovering suspicious items including bomb-making components and a fully assembled bomb. The items were immediately removed and confiscated for destruction.

Follow-up search warrants served up and down Waterford and Modesto uncovered additional evidence which led to the arrest of Julian Red Stehle, 18, of Waterford. He has since been booked into San Joaquin County Jail on felony charges that include possession of a control substance, manufacture of a controlled substance, manufacturing a destructive device, and possession of a destructive device.

Read more:

The Modesto Bee: Police arrest man on drug, explosive charges