Explosive Devices Placed in Mailboxes NR09330rf

Los Angeles: On July 10, 2009, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Major Crimes  Division Criminal Conspiracy Section detectives arrested two suspects accused of exploding destructive devices inside residential mailboxes in the Canoga Park area.  No specific threats are known to be associated with the explosions.

On July 9, 2009, between 9:25 p.m. and 11:40 p.m., two suspects, 20-year-old Joseph Tovar and 18-year-old Jacob Cashen, both from the Chatsworth area, placed and exploded four destructive devices commonly known as dry ice bombs inside four separate residential mailboxes.  The targeted mailboxes had been located on Welby Way, Balmoral Lane, Highlander Road and Farralone Avenue.  No injuries have been reported in connection with the explosions.

As the suspects attempted to leave the scene of the last explosion on Farralone Avenue, officers were able to apprehend and arrest them.  Both suspects were booked at LAPD’s Van Nuys Division jail for Section 12303.3 of the California Penal Code, Explosion of a Destructive Device. Bail has been set at $1 million for each suspect.

Anyone with information about these incidents may contact the LAPD Criminal Conspiracy Section at 213-485-2000.