VENTURA : Suspect in Explosions at Mall Is Arrested
A 20-year-old Santa Paula man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a destructive device in connection with two separate explosions that startled shoppers at the Buenaventura Mall on Thursday night, Ventura police said.
Harrison Scruggs II is suspected of placing an explosive device at an entrance to the mall about 7:30 p.m. The device exploded but caused no injuries or damage, police said.
After being seen with the device, Scruggs was chased and caught by mall security and held until Ventura police officers arrived, authorities said. Police said Scruggs was also responsible for an earlier explosion at the mall about 4:45 p.m.
Although he was accompanied by three youths, Scruggs was the only person arrested. “They were not involved in the incident,” Lt. Don Arth said. “They just happened to be with him.”
Scruggs will not be formally charged until Monday, Arth said.
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