Explosives Found in Car; 2 Arrested

Two youths were arrested Thursday after Los Angeles police discovered an explosive device in their car, authorities said.

The unidentified boys, a 16-year-old Reseda resident and a 17-year-old from Northridge, were stopped by Los Angeles patrol officers, who found an explosive device and material for making other devices in the car, said Detective Steven Spear.

The youths later admitted detonating one device in a parking lot, Spear said. They led police to a house in the 8100 block of Etiwanda Street, where more material used to build the devices was confiscated.

The youths were booked at the Police Department’s Devonshire Division on suspicion of possession of a destructive device in a public place, Spear said.

Spear said the confiscated device was less powerful than a pipe bomb, which is made with steel and, sometimes, plastic pipe and explosive materials.