LASD Bust Suspect for 1,760 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks in San Gabriel Valley

On Monday, May 11, at approximately 5 p.m., while patrolling the area of Merced Avenue and Remer Street, South El Monte, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Temple Sheriff’s Station saw the driver of a van perform an unsafe lane change and run a red light.

Deputies immediately conducted a traffic stop and discovered that the driver, Edwin Hernandez, a 28 year-old male resident of Wilmington, was driving on a suspended license and placed him under arrest.

Subsequent to Hernandez’ arrest, 22 cases of illegal fireworks, each of which weighed 80 pounds, were discovered in his van. 

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Arson Investigator Dahlmeier, the total amount of 1,760 pounds (nearly one ton) of illegal fireworks discovered in the van seen driving in an unsafe manner through the city of South El Monte was enough to blow a house off of its foundation.

Hernandez was booked at Temple Sheriff’s Station for Possession of Illegal Fireworks For Sale, and is being held in lieu of $25,000.

LaCoFD Arson investigators took possession of the illegal fireworks and will be conducting the investigation.

—Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department