Sonora, CA…23 June 2016, at approximately 11:35 pm, Officers from the Sonora Police Department, assisted by Officers from the California Highway Patrol, responded to a disturbance on the 100 block of Columbia Way. When Officers arrived, two subjects determined to be involved in the disturbance, were located hiding in some bushes. A backpack was also located on the ground next to both subjects. Both subjects initially denied ownership of the backpack and its contents.

During a search of the backpack, an Officer located an object, which was determined to be an explosive device. The object was a glass bottle, with an explosive taped to the exterior of the bottle, and a fuse attached to the top of the explosive. The bottle contained several objects, including coins, which could act as projectiles if the device was detonated.

One of the subjects, Ruben Cortez, 21 of Sonora, consented to a search of his person. A dagger was located concealed on his person, as well as methamphetamine, plus drug paraphernalia.

During the Officers investigation, the Officers determine Cortez was the owner of the backpack. Cortez was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for felony possession of a destructive device, felony possession of a concealed dirk or dagger, misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad responded and safely detonated the explosive device.