Further information in the investigation led to the discovery of another 85 sticks of dynamite stuffed into a duffle bag and hidden within 30 feet of a large apartment complex at 24th Avenue and Thomas Road. In addition to the 85 sticks of dynamite, dozens of blasting caps, fuses and various explosive paraphernalia was also found. Deputies located those items and detonated them on site as well, Arpaio says.
The suspect admitted to stealing the dynamite from a central Phoenix storage warehouse in early June in hopes of finding a buyer. He kept the explosives with him in a hotel near 24th Avenue and Thomas, where he was staying for about a month, before hiding it in the locations deputies searched.
The hotel was within a 100 yards of both an elementary and a middle school. It was a potentially deadly situation – had this dynamite detonated. There was a collaborative effort between the Buckeye and Phoenix Police Departments, who worked closely with the Sheriff’s Office, for a successful conclusion to this investigation.
Sheriff’s detectives believe that all dynamite in this investigation has been located and secured. Arpaio’s explosive experts warn the public that any explosives, including dynamite, that are found should be considered potentially very dangerous and unstable.
The Sheriff cautions anyone in the community who sees something closely resembling dynamite to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at (602) 876 1011.