Bomb Explodes as Deputies Try to Defuse It

A homemade bomb exploded while being defused outside the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lakewood substation Sunday, and deputies found three more bombs inside a motor home parked just outside the station’s lobby, authorities said.

No one was injured and no property was damaged, deputies said.

Joseph Anthony Dimuro, 34, the motor home’s owner, was arrested on suspicion of possession of explosive devices and for alleged weapons and narcotics violations. He was held in lieu of $60,000 bail at the Lakewood station jail.

When deputies approached an “older model Winnebago” shortly after 9 a.m. because it was parked illegally, a man wearing military fatigues opened the door and began accusing the deputies of “having his guns,” Deputy Kathryn Nielsen said.

Odor of Marijuana

Deputies decided to investigate when they detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, Nielsen said. Inside, deputies found “an Army-style ammo box with wires running from it into the floor of the vehicle.”

The deputies “immediately backed off,” Nielsen said, and summoned explosives experts. Bomb squad detectives determined that the box contained an unstable, live bomb.

Deputies removed the box from the vehicle, placing it in an open area on the street. As they were attempting to open the box “using a remote device,” the bomb detonated, Nielsen said. No details were available about the techniques officers were using to defuse the bomb.

Investigators returned to the motor home and found three other homemade bombs, two loaded revolvers, a loaded assault rifle and a small amount of marijuana and cocaine, Nielsen said.