On Wednesday, July 2, 2014, Long Beach Police conducted several investigations into the illegal sales of fireworks in the City of Long Beach, and seized over $1,000 pounds of fireworks, with an estimated street value of close to $10,000.
On Wednesday, July 2, 2014, West Division Directed Enforcement officers began working an investigation into the sale of illegal fireworks, which resulted in the confiscation of high powered fireworks.
Officers located an online advertisement regarding illegal fireworks that were available for sale. When officers responded to the area of Long Beach Boulevard and Artesia Boulevard, the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Erik Alvarado-Ramirez of Compton, was taken into custody for firework related charges. Several mortars and other fireworks weighing approximately 100 lbs were seized.
Shortly thereafter, the officers located another online firework advertisement. Their investigation led them to a shopping center in the area of Spring Street & Atlantic Avenue, where a male subject who was selling fireworks from his vehicle was located and also taken into custody for firework related charges. A subsequent search of his vehicle turned up high powered fireworks, including mortars, a mortar tube, and several large boxes of miscellaneous fireworks, totaling approximately 200 pounds. The street value, including the fireworks from the previous incident, totaled approximately $700. The suspect was identified as 25-year old Julio Flores of Pico Rivera.
Also on July 2nd, North Division officers confiscated 715 lbs of fireworks during a traffic stop and subsequent search of a nearby residence in the area of 72nd Street & Orange Avenue. During the incident, 51 boxes of "Excaliber" and 8 boxes of "Rolling in the Dough" fireworks were confiscated, with a value of over $8,800. The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Sergio Guerrero of Long Beach.
All fireworks, including those marked as “Safe and Sane” are illegal in the City of Long Beach. Anyone cited or arrested for fireworks violations may be faced with a $1,000 fine, sentenced to six months in jail, or both. The fines and penalties may increase depending on the fireworks’ classification. Fireworks may be voluntarily disposed of at collection bins located at Lifeguard Headquarters, 2100 E. Ocean Boulevard (on the West side of the Junipero lot), and at all police stations.
If you ‘See Something, Say Something!’ Call Long Beach Police Dispatch at (562) 435-6711 or 9-1-1 if an immediate police response is necessary. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
