Explosive Materials Found In Lodi Apartment
LODI, Calif. (CBS13) -- A tip from a concerned neighbor prompted a search by authorities that uncovered explosive chemicals that was intended to be used in a pipe bomb, authorities said.
The Lodi Police Department said they obtained a search warrant after receiving the information and found containers with the dangerous materials inside James Perman's apartment.
"Should the right circumstances or mishandling of these items occur, [it] can cause an incidental detonation that could harm people," said Lodi Police Detective Eric Bradley.
Perman was experimenting with the materials and hadn't created a device capable of causing massive damage, authorities said.
The neighbor who called police, who asked not to be identified by CBS13, said the discovery of Perman's intentions deeply unsettled him.
"I noticed he was creating some pretty bad stuff," the neighbor said. "When he showed me the container and I smelled what was inside, I knew exactly what it was."
The smell of ammonia was extremely strong, he said. The neighbor said Perman seemed excited over how explosive it was.
Perman is being held without bail in the San Joaquin County Jail on a range of charges, including possession of a destructive device and child endangerment.
