Girl, 16, Arrested Over ‘Bomb Recipes’
IRVINE — A 16-year-old girl was arrested Friday after police found flammable chemicals and Internet-supplied “bomb recipes” stashed in the closet of her bedroom.
The girl, who was not identified, told police the bottles of gasoline and petroleum-based material were to be used in an amateur film project she was working on, Irvine Police Sgt. Rick Handfield said. One scene apparently involves a bicycle burning in the desert, he said.
“She had no big plans to hurt anyone that we can find out,” Handfield said, adding that detectives are still interviewing the girl’s friends about her explanation. It is not illegal to possess the kind of chemicals found in the girl’s room unless the suspect intends to create bombs or explosives, he said.
About 20 neighbors at the Rancho San Joaquin apartment complex on Pergola were evacuated Wednesday when the girl’s mother called police and reported smelling chemicals in the home.
Investigators found 13 bottles of flammable liquids and information on making bombs and explosives, which prompted the Orange County Fire Authority, a bomb squad and Irvine police to clear a 100-foot area around the unit.
The girl was not home at the time and did not return until Friday, when the apartment manager saw her and called police.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
