Local News in Brief : San Diego

An East San Diego man who had spent time in jail and was on parole for possessing and manufacturing explosives was arrested early Monday after three explosive devices were found in his home, police said.

At 7 a.m., San Diego County marshals served a search warrant on Spencer Bryan Blumenstein, 35, after they received an anonymous tip that he was manufacturing booby-trapped devices, police spokesman Dave Cohen said.

When Blumenstein answered the door, he told police the man they sought was not home but that he would get the lady of the house, Cohen said. When Blumenstein did not return, marshals searched and found him hiding in the attic.

Blumenstein surrendered to marshals when they told him they had a canine unit, Cohen said.

Blumenstein then reportedly told marshals that the house, in the 4040 block of Menlo Avenue, was wired with explosives. Fire and police bomb squads were called in when some wires were discovered attached around the house and leading to a bedroom dresser, Cohen said.

A briefcase found during the search was at first suspected to be holding explosives. After X-rays were taken, however, it was found to be filled with a substance used in arsons, police said.

San Diego Fire Department explosives experts found that the wire surrounding the house was not connected to explosives, spokesman Larry Cook said. He added that about 12 nearby homes, including an apartment building, were evacuated as a precaution.

Blumenstein was being held in County Jail downtown on suspicion of violating probation and failing to appear on a drug violation, a jail clerk said. She said bail was set at $53,500 and arraignment was scheduled for today.