3 in Family Arrested After Search Yields Pipe Bombs

Three members of a Saugus family were arrested Thursday after sheriff’s deputies conducting a probation search found two pipe bombs in their home, authorities said.

After evacuating the immediate neighborhood, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad safely detonated the explosive devices, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers arrived at the residence in the 22800 block of Ash Creek Lane at 8:30 a.m. to conduct a routine probation search on 18-year-old Scott Higgins, authorities said.

In addition to the pipe bombs, sheriff’s officials said an illegal sawed-off shotgun was found in the home.

Authorities said Higgins is a known gang member who was on parole for crimes committed when he was a juvenile.

Higgins’ brother, Sean, 23, and their mother, Nancy Higgins, were also arrested Thursday.

“The two bombs were taped together. . . . They were live bombs,” Det. Scott Miller of the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station said. “We found them in the mother’s bedroom and all three had knowledge that [the bombs] were there.”

The mother and sons were held on suspicion of possessing an explosive device. Scott Higgins was also charged with a probation violation, authorities said.