Pipe Bomb Found During Routine Jail Search of Theft Suspect
A sophisticated pipe bomb was found inside the clothing of an 18-year-old man during a routine search at Ventura County’s East Valley Jail early Monday, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.
Sgt. Larry Todd said the homemade bomb was “potentially very deadly had it gone off.”
The bomb was found in the pants of Trent Shaffer of Thousand Oaks about 2:30 a.m. after he was arrested on suspicion of petty theft, attempted auto burglary, possession of burglary tools and possession of stolen property, Todd said. He had been arrested earlier in the day with two juveniles.
Bomb experts safely detonated the device, Todd said.
Shaffer also will be booked on suspicion of possessing an explosive device, Todd said. He was transferred to the main County Jail in Ventura, where he is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, authorities said.
The juveniles will not be charged in relation to the bomb, authorities said. They were booked on suspicion of burglary and theft and released to their parents.
Authorities did not release further details of the arrests.
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