On Thursday, July 1, 2021, at approximately 7:00 pm while conducting illegal firework enforcement, undercover Newark Police Officers observed two subjects selling fireworks out of a van in the 37000 block of Elm St. Officers quickly made contact and took a 19-year-old male out of Newark and a 53-year-old male out of Pittsburg into custody without incident.
Based on the large quantity of illegal “Dangerous” fireworks, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team was contacted and responded to the scene. In total, approximately 600 pounds of illegal “Dangerous” fireworks and over $33,000 in cash was seized from the van. Sheriff’s EOD personnel took possession of the illegal fireworks for safe transport and controlled disposal.
Both subjects were arrested for felony possession of destructive or explosive devices, illegal sales of “Dangerous” fireworks, and possession of “Dangerous” fireworks without valid permit, respectively. Both suspects were booked at Santa Rita Jail. The misdemeanor offenses in this matter are punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the County jail for 1 year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The felony charges stemming from this incident are punishable by imprisonment for a period of two, four, or six years.
This incident reflects the Newark Police Department’s firework suppression efforts. Over the recent weeks, the City of Newark has worked diligently to address residents’ concerns by using undercover officers to conduct fireworks enforcement operations as well as increasing directed patrols based on reports received by community members.
The Newark Police Department would like to thank our community members for their continued support and reassure residents that Newark will continue to actively work on addressing this important quality of life issue.
Catching folks in the act of lighting off illegal fireworks is challenging but we are committed to serving our community and enforcing our zero-tolerance stance.
If you know someone or see someone who is in possession, selling and/or lighting fireworks, please call the Fireworks Hotline at (866)520-7233 (SAFE).
For emergencies, please continue to call 911.
We want to remind folks, ONLY "Safe & Sane" fireworks are allowed in Newark and ONLY between midnight June 30 to midnight July 4. "Dangerous" fireworks are ALWAYS illegal, and Newark has a zero-tolerance stance on illegal dangerous fireworks.
Lieutenant Brian Simon will be the point of contact for media inquiries. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or contacted by phone at 510.578.4995.
LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/NewarkPolice/videos/477659286667142/
