Bomb Squad Investigation Prompts Evacuation of Lakewood Neighborhood

A parolee who hid in a crawl space underneath his home in Lakewood was taken into custody tonight, and a tunnel was found underneath where a device that looked like an explosive device was destroyed.

The bomb squad went to the home in the 5200 block of Iroquois Avenue about 6 p.m. Tuesday and found that the suspect, who had prior arrests for narcotics, possession of a deadly weapon and being a convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon, had secreted himself.

He refused orders to come out of the home and a team of sharpshooters was called and police dogs were brought in. After a couple of hours non-lethal devices were used and the man, whose name was being withheld as an investigation continued, surrendered.

One observer said the device, which was ammunition with wires sticking from it, was destroyed.

During the incident, deputies evacuated the surrounding community which included all residences inside the perimeter of Candlewood Street, Dashwood Street and Josie Avenue.

- City News Service