Man Arrested In Lake Elsinore For Allegedly Possessing Explosives

A Menifee man was arrested in Lake Elsinore for possessing illegal explosives, authorities said.

Cal Fire firefighters heard explosions nearby as they were putting out a small brush fire near El Toro Road in a remote area near Lake Elsinore around 11 a.m. Sunday, said  Sgt. Bob Epps of the Riverside County sheriff's Hazardous Device Team.

"The firefighters contacted several people who were shooting (at) exploding targets," then notified the sheriff's department, Epps said.

"One person was found to be in possession of several exploding targets," Epps said. "These items typically consist of at least two parts, and they become a sensitive and dangerous explosive when mixed," he said. Exploding targets, which produce blasts when hit by gunfire, are illegal to possess in California, Epps said.

Jerry Ingram, 38, of Menifee, was arrested and booked into the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of two felony explosives possession counts, Epps said.

Bail was set at $25,000. Ingram posted bond and was released Sunday, according to the Riverside County sheriff's web site. His first court appearance was set for Oct. 11 at the Riverside Hall of Justice in Riverside. --City News Service