Explosives Sting Nets 4 Arrests
A police sting operation targeting an alleged explosives dealer resulted in four arrests this week and the confiscation of four illegal firearms and about 6 ounces of methamphetamine, authorities said Friday.
Undercover officers arranged to buy five sticks of dynamite and a quantity of methamphetamine from Lance Fritz, 26, of Costa Mesa at a motel on Newport Boulevard near 19th Street, Police Lt. Ron Smith said.
Officers met Fritz and companion Robert Macphetridge, 42, of Lake Elsinore at the motel and arrested them for violating terms of their probation, Smith said.
A subsequent search of Fritz’s two known addresses--in the 800 block of Towne Street and the 400 block of Hamilton Street--resulted in the seizure of the firearms and methamphetamine, Smith said.
Fritz was booked on suspicion of illegally possessing a firearm, carrying a loaded gun in public, selling a firearm without a permit, selling a destructive device and violating conditions of probation.
Macphetridge was held on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine.
Also arrested at the Towne Street address was Darlene Cummings, 40, of Costa Mesa on drug charges. Ronald Gene Killinger, 36, of Costa Mesa was arrested on Hamilton Street on suspicion of drug and weapons possession.
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