Be careful out there, pyrotechnical enthusiasts. As is a July 4th leadup tradition, the police are on the lookout for illegal fireworks. Of course, you probably haven't hoarded as many explosive materials as were found in two separate fireworks raids we learned about today. The first of those was at a Chinatown store allegedly selling the illicit explosives and the second was at an Oakland home where up to $50,000 worth were seized.
As KTVU reports, 'tis the season for such seizures, and they were along for the ride as a "major" bust went down at 914 Grant Avenue in Chinatown.
Police Lieutenant Brien Hoo says of that storefront that it "was used to store fireworks and to sell illegal fireworks and we have consent from the owner to search the premise." There, they nabbed about 1,000 pound of fireworks, such as rockets and barrel bombs. Owner Li Kok Keung claims he purchased the fireworks online with the intent to sell them to help pay rent at his storefront, and was arrested.
At least two other Chinatown busts have been made in the last several days, and the SFPD crackdown will last until the holiday.
Suspect tells #KTVU he sold illegal fireworks because he couldn't afford rent at his #Chinatown jewelry store. #SF pic.twitter.com/ekKWxvxJk2
— KenWayne (@KenWayneKTVU) July 2, 2015
Not to be outdone in Oakland, KRON 4 had the scoop on another big bust, this one at a home where so many fireworks were confiscated they wouldn't fit in a truck. Police say it's a large haul, perhaps the largest in decades.
Oakland PD & Fire Dept. say this is the largest amount of illegal fireworks confiscated in recent memory. #4thofJuly pic.twitter.com/DNeAyHJTjE
— Lyanne Melendez (@LyanneMelendez) July 2, 2015
NBC Bay Area writes that Spokeswoman Johnna Watson "said the home was discovered as a special unit was doing a 'longterm investigation' into illegal fireworks."
Previously: Watch Out: SFPD Is On The Hunt For Illegal Fireworks