Possible Explosives In Wanted Parolee's Home Prompt Evacuations In Lakewood
LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) —Some residents were forced to leave a Lakewood neighborhood Tuesday night while authorities investigated possible explosives inside a wanted parolee's home.
Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies said they visited a residence in the 5200 block of Iroquois Avenue around 5 p.m. after the suspect didn't check in with his parole agent earlier in the morning.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old "Anthony" by his mother, had prior arrests for narcotics, possession of a deadly weapon and being a convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon.
When deputies confronted Anthony, he climbed under the house through a make-shift door in his bedroom.
"The suspect barricaded himself underneath a crawl space," said Sgt. Rich Maradiaga.
While searching the residence, police found an elaborate system of tunnels, which appeared to have explosive devices inside.
Authorities immediately blocked off streets and evacuated surrounding homes in the area.
The bomb squad and a Hazmat team, along with other federal and local law enforcement, were called to the scene.
The devices were later deemed to be safe and the evacuation order was lifted.
The suspect's mother said the tunnels carried wires from a security camera at the front of the house.
"He had a camera outside and he could see it in his room," she told KCAL9's Stacey Butler.
She said her son created the tunnels to prepare for the end of the world.
"He's always been paranoid about the world ending," she said.
The suspect was finally taken into custody after police used tear gas to coax him out of the home.
