SANTA ROSA (KRON) — A 16-year-old male was arrested following the online selling of illegal fireworks in Santa Rosa on July 1st, 2015.
The Santa Rosa Fire Department (SRFD) received information from the Petaluma Fire Department regarding a Craig’s List add for the sale of illegal fireworks.
The advertisement indicated selling various types of illegal fireworks in the area of West College Avenue and Stony Point Road. The ad included pictures of fire crackers and aerial fireworks with various prices.
The SRFD contacted the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) for assistance in the investigation. Detectives from the SRPD’s initiated contact with the seller. Once communications were established, detectives confirmed their interest in buying the illegal fireworks with the seller. The meeting location to make the purchase was established in Rohnert Park by the seller. Upon learning of the buy location, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety (RPDPS) was immediately contacted.
The SRPD, RPDPS and SRFD worked together to plan the undercover buy. The undercover detective contacted the seller at a residence in Rohnert Park and was shown the fireworks. The purchase price was confirmed. Officers then moved in to make the arrest. A 16-year-old male was arrested for the possession and sale of illegal fireworks. A second 17 year old male was detained during the arrest. Due to the subjects being minors, their names will not be released.
“The City of Rohnert Park has zero tolerance for illegal fireworks”, said RPDPS Fire Marshal Dan Adams.
Safe and Sane fireworks are legal in the Cities of Rohnert Park, Petaluma and Cloverdale. Fireworks are banned throughout the rest of Sonoma County. “Citations and in some cases, an arrest can be made depending on the circumstances for the possession, sale or use of illegal fireworks”, said Paul Lowenthal, Assistant Fire Marshal.
The juvenile was released from custody and a citation carrying a penalty of $1000.00 was issued. The fireworks were confiscated and will be destroyed.