Police seize illegal fireworks, arrest 3

Costa Mesa police and fire investigators arrested three men and seized hundreds of illegal fireworks from two Newport-Mesa residences after fireworks were sold to an undercover officer Wednesday.

The fireworks were advertised for sale online at Craigslist, Costa Mesa Sgt. Marty Carver said. After investigators bought fireworks from a Costa Mesa apartment, the investigation led them to a Newport Beach house, where a bulk of the fireworks were found, Carver said.

“If that house caught fire, there would probably be a pretty good explosion,” said Costa Mesa Fire Department arson investigator Kevin Diamond.

Costa Mesa police were tipped off to the online advertisement after members of the Corona Police Department were searching Craigslist and noticed the ad, Carver said.

A team of arson investigators and police called the sellers using a phone number provided on the website and were told to go to an apartment in the Mediterranean Village complex at Harbor Boulevard and Fair Drive, Carver said.

The undercover officers went into the apartment and purchased the fireworks, which were laid out on a pool table in the living room, officials said.

Christopher Ray, 19, and Sean Lowe, 18, both of Costa Mesa, were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor possession and sale of illegal fireworks. Both men were cited and released.

Further investigation led the officers to a Newport Beach residence in the 100 block of 35th Street. There, police found hundreds of explosives packed in brown boxes in cabinets and closets. Police arrested Newport Beach resident Samuel Norman Larosa, 27, on suspicion of possessing more than 7,500 grams of explosives.

It appears that Larosa was the supplier and that Ray and Lowe were selling the fireworks, Carver said.

“Obviously from looking at the amount it possibly could have done extensive property damage,” Newport Beach Sgt. Bill Hartford said.

The fireworks seized were set up on display at a Costa Mesa fire station Thursday. The boxes of fireworks, some labeled “Old Glorious” and “Gold Bombardment,” will never be viewed by spectators ? they’re destined to be destroyed by the state fire marshal.

Safety officials said they hope the seizure underscores the need for a safe holiday.

“Hopefully it will result in a decrease in the amount of fireworks that are used down on the peninsula during the Fourth of July,” Hartford said.

So-called safe and sane fireworks are allowed in Costa Mesa; fireworks of all kinds are illegal in Newport Beach.