Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               
Date: November 04, 2021
Case:  21002438
Contact: Sergeant Scott Purvis  
[email protected]
 
 
Within the last several months, Morgan Hill Police Officers have responded to dozens of calls for service, throughout the City, regarding illegal/dangerous fireworks and loud explosions.
 
On Thursday, October 28, 2021, at approximately 11:50 PM, MHPD Communications received multiple reports of loud explosions or “booms” near Downtown. Officers responded to the area and located spent commercial grade fireworks in a parking lot behind Morgan Hill Tavern. Concerned residents told officers that two male subjects responsible for setting off the fireworks, were last seen walking southbound on Monterey Road.
 
Officers followed up on several leads and positively identified Joseph Robert Adona, 25 years old of Morgan Hill, as the suspect. MHPD Officers obtained a search warrant for the home of Adona, located on the 300 block of Calle Atavio and a warrant for his arrest.
 
On November 02, 2021, MHPD Officers executed the search warrant at Adona’s residence and seized explosive devices,  dozens of illegal/dangerous fireworks, weapons, and narcotics along with paraphernalia for sales.
 
On November 3, 2021, Adona self-surrendered at MHPD and he was later booked into Santa Clara County Jail for the following charges: Warrant, possession of illegal weapon, possession of an explosive, storage of illegal fireworks without a permit, possession of illegal fireworks without a permit, possession of explosives without a permit, reckless possession of an explosive in a private habitation, and possession of narcotics for sales. 
 
Fireworks are prohibited in the City of Morgan Hill. Morgan Hill Police Department has a zero tolerance approach for illegal fireworks and will aggressively pursue these violations. We encourage our community to report those individuals who  choose to discharge illegal fireworks putting our community at risk. Fireworks have a tremendous impact on all of us especially our loved ones who are suffering from a variety of mental health situations. In the past, fireworks have resulted in fires, damaged homes, missing pets, and unnecessary injuries. Our surrounding hills are dry, and every illegal firework poses a significant threat to the safety of our community.
 
Anyone with information regarding this case or other suspects related to the discharging of illegal or dangerous fireworks is asked to please contact Sergeant Scott Purvis at (669) 253-4912 or email at [email protected].