A homeowner in Valley Glen discovered 20 sticks of live dynamite in the back of an old freezer while cleaning her garage on Thursday morning. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to the 6100 block of Rhodes Avenue shortly before 9:30 a.m. after reports of a suspicious device. Neighbors within 500 feet of the residence were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Bomb squad technicians safely rendered the dynamite sticks inert by soaking them in diesel, according to LAPD Capt. Warner Castillo. The homeowner had no knowledge of the explosives' presence or origin. The devices were classified as lost/found property, and no criminal investigation is underway.
Dynamite is strictly regulated in California, typically restricted to licensed professionals in mining, demolition, or industrial activities. Purchasers require state, local, and federal permits, including approval from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The sticks had the potential to cause severe structural damage and hearing loss if detonated, Castillo noted. The LAPD bomb squad remained on scene until the explosives were secured.
No injuries or threats were reported, and evacuations were lifted once the area was deemed safe. The incident raises questions about how the dynamite ended up in the freezer, though authorities have not yet identified a suspect or motive.