In Elk Grove, the community is on high alert as the hunt for a suspect involved in detonating trash bins escalates. The situation began unfolding when police were alerted to an explosion in a Jones Park restroom. Witnesses reported the blast was so powerful it dislodged a bathroom stall door from its hinges.
The investigation took a significant turn when a second explosion, occurring the following day and captured by a home security system, pointed authorities towards a potential suspect. This incident, merely half a mile from the first, rattled a nearby household. “The whole house shook. It was unlike anything we’ve ever experienced,” shared Anthony Harris, a local resident.
The uncertainty of when or where the next explosion might occur has left the Elk Grove community on edge. “It’s definitely frightening. The unpredictability of the next explosion’s location adds to the anxiety,” Harris expressed. The individual believed to be behind these acts is described as a male linked to two separate events involving what police suspect to be high-grade illegal fireworks.
The initial incident involved setting off an explosive device inside a restroom at Jones Park. The following day, the suspect allegedly detonated another device inside a trash bin located in front of a residence, not far from the park. “We were just watching TV when suddenly, boom. I immediately knew it wasn’t a gunshot or an M80,” recounted Mike Derdowski, a neighbor.
The aftermath of the explosion was evident. “The trash bin was overturned, and its wheels were scattered,” said Cristina Sierra, another neighbor. The seriousness of using explosive devices, which are considered severe felonies, was emphasized by Derdowski. “It’s alarming to think about the accessibility of such explosives and the perpetrator’s motives. Why target trash bins? What harm do they intend?” pondered Harris.
The incident left one resident in shock as she discovered her trash bin ablaze outside her home. She was informed that the city would replace the damaged bin the following Monday. The Elk Grove Police Department continues to investigate these incidents and urges anyone with information to come forward.