2 Arrested in Reseda Sidewalk Discovery : Bomb Squad Destroys Peril at Pedestrians’ Feet

Two people were arrested Tuesday after a volatile phosphorous compound, capable of flashing into flame or exploding if walked on, was discovered covering patches of sidewalk along a busy street in Reseda on Tuesday and was detonated by Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad members.

Darryl James Haynes, 28, and Stefani Coffman, 20, both of Reseda, were booked on suspicion of possessing a destructive device, police Lt. Dan Cooke said.

Police reported late Tuesday that they found a cache of highly unstable chemicals at an apartment near where the substance was exploded.

The reddish-brown material was discovered by a police officer who noticed a pedestrian striking sparks as he walked.

Police were reluctant to discuss details of the investigation, which was being conducted by the Criminal Conspiracy Section.

Found in 2 Locations

A patch of the substance stretched 130 feet along the sidewalk in the 7900 block of Reseda Boulevard, police said, and more was discovered later near the intersection of Reseda and Saticoy Street about a quarter-mile away.

Bomb squad technicians tried to sweep and shovel the compound from the sidewalk, but it spit flames about two feet high. They then wet the substance with alcohol, gathered it into a small pile on the sidewalk and detonated a charge of plastic explosive to destroy it.

Police said the substance apparently was the same one that burned a woman’s feet in the area Monday. Officers asked residents to report any unusual reddish-brown stains on sidewalks or streets, warning that the material should not be touched or walked on.

About 4:20 p.m., said motorcycle officer William G. Rolla, he noticed a pedestrian striking sparks that were coming from a reddish-brown trail on the sidewalk. The bottoms of the man’s shoes were burned but he was not injured, Rolla said.

Followed the Trail

Rolla followed the trail of the material to an apartment in the 7900 block of Reseda Boulevard, he said. A man who answered his knock had more of the material on his trousers and shoes and was detained for questioning, Rolla said.

Later, a woman arriving at the apartment also was detained. It could not be learned whether these were the two who were later arrested.

A block of the boulevard between Arminta and Strathern streets was cordoned off while firefighters and the police bomb squad worked to clear the sidewalk. A police spokesman said the substance had been tentatively identified as red phosphorous mixed with sulfur.

“It is highly volatile and very sensitive to the touch,” said Detective Ronald E. Douglass .

A woman was burned on the feet Monday upon emerging from the Baker’s Square Restaurant about a quarter-mile away, Douglass said.

Police on Tuesday found and removed patches of the substance from outside the restaurant and from a nearby Chief’s Auto Parts and 7-Eleven store.