Mendocino County Man Arrested for Allegedly Detonating Explosive Device, Igniting Fire
REDWOOD VALLEY, CA — A Mendocino County man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly detonating an explosive device in an abandoned shopping cart, igniting a grass fire.
According to a press release by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, the ordeal began when deputies responded to the 8600 block of North State Street in Redwood Valley for a reported fire.
Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire District personnel initially responded to the area and discovered that people at the scene had already extinguished a small grass fire, which fire personnel determined had been ignited by someone detonating an explosive device in an abandoned shopping cart.
A Battalion Chief with the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority also responded to the scene and determined that the explosion and fire had been an act of arson, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators discovered fragments of the destructive device and reportedly believe it to be connected to another explosive device that had been discovered by the California Highway Patrol along Highway 222 on April 30.
This device, which had not been detonated, was collected by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, who later confirmed that the detonated fragments discovered on May 1 appeared to be of a similar type.
Investigators also discovered that the device discovered on May 1 had been wrapped in multiple layers of packing tape and ignited with a fuse placed in the shopping cart.
Authorities have reportedly identified the primary suspect in the case as Todd Scott, 49, of Ukiah.
Concerned that the suspect may be in possession of other explosive devices, authorities obtained a warrant to search his residence. The suspect himself was later located and arrested during a traffic stop in Redwood Valley, authorities said.
During the search of Scott’s home, authorities reportedly seized a third explosive device and three firearms, the latter of which Scott is legally prohibited from possessing due to a prior criminal conviction.
Scott was arrested on suspicion of igniting an explosive device and arson causing damage to land. He was later released on bail, authorities said.
