Reminder: Fireworks of all types – including the so-called “Safe and Sane” variety – are illegal throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

[LASD] – At 11:25 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, deputies from the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station were following up on information they received regarding a large quantity of illegal fireworks being stored in a public storage locker in the City of Norwalk.

Deputies contacted the site manager of the storage facility on the 10900 block of Firestone Boulevard and confirmed the storage unit in question was being rented by the individual being investigated.

A Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau explosive detection K-9 conducted a search of the storage lockers. During the search, the K-9 alerted his handler to the suspected storage locker.

Because it was believed this storage locker contained explosives which presented an immediate threat to the community, entry was made into the storage locker in order to safeguard its contents. Upon entering the 20’ x 10’ storage locker, deputies discovered 91 cases of illegal fireworks containing mortars, bottle rockets, roman candles and a variety of other commercial-grade fireworks.

The total weight of the fireworks was in excess of 8,000 pounds, with a street value over $20,000. The fireworks were turned over to the Los Angeles County Fire Department for safe disposal.

The suspect, the registered owner of the public storage unit, although not in custody, is known and a criminal case against him will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.