Authorities in Southern California said a Fullerton man was detained after thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated at a West Covina residence before the Independence Day holiday.
Officials with the West Covina Police Department claimed department investigators, along with arson investigators from the city’s fire department, conducted many illegal fireworks enforcement operations ahead of the Fourth of July.
They carried out four operations to examine the possession and distribution of a large number of unlawful works. Three of the investigations resulted in the recovery of approximately 1,300 pounds of fireworks and an unlicensed handgun.
However, the largest seizure occurred during the fourth operation.
During the final operation, they were directed to a home in the 1300 block of Sherway Street, at the intersection of Orange and Cameron avenues. After obtaining a search order, officials discovered nearly 8,000 pounds of illegal mortar-style fireworks, characterized as “a highly dangerous and volatile cache.”
Timothy Tillman, a 43-year-old Fullerton resident, was detained on the site. He was booked into the West Covina Jail on felony counts of possession and intent to distribute unlawful pyrotechnics.
Fire officials claimed the merchandise had been safely removed and that there was no threat to the neighborhood.
Residents of West Covina are invited to report unlawful fireworks activities by calling the non-emergency number at 626-939-8500.
