Improvised Incendiary Devices Found in Area of Local Schools

May 9, 2001

Los Angeles: On two recent occasions, detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department, Criminal Conspiracy Section, along with personnel from the Explosive Section responded to radio calls involving devices found at or near two local schools, posing a potential public danger.
The first incident was reported on May 7, 2001, at approximately 12:30 P.M. LAPD responded to a suspicious device that was found at 3450 South Pasadena Avenue, in Hollenbeck Area. The device described as an "improvised incendiary device" (IID) was placed in the parking lot adjacent to Hillside Elementary School. The device was rendered safe by personnel assigned to the Department’s Explosive Section.
The second incident was reported on May 8, 2001, at approximately 3:30 P.M., at Nightingale Junior High School, 3311 North Figueroa Street, in Northeast Area. This device was placed just across a walkway, near bushes by the exit door to the school’s Mathematics Building. This device was also rendered safe before it resulted in harm to anyone.
Both devices were of similar construction and were capable of causing serious injuries.
While detectives from Criminal Conspiracy Section are actively conducting an investigation to identify the suspect or suspects who placed these devices, it is imperative that individuals observing suspicious and/or unfamiliar devices, take the following precautions:

Do not touch or handle the device;
Stay far away from the device; and
Immediately call the police.

Anyone with information that may assist detectives in this investigation is urged to call Criminal Conspiracy Section at 213-473 7474.
This Press release was prepared by Officer Eduardo Funes, Media relations section, 213-485 3586.