Police arrested a man at his home on Tuesday for possessing potent explosives and a gun, police said.
A concerned citizen told police at around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday that a person living on 22nd Street between Valencia and Guerrero was in possession of homemade explosives, according to a police press release.
When officers arrived at the home, the resident, Jerry Lopez, 44, agreed to let them search for explosives. They found 63 explosive devices, the equivalent of approximately 12.5 sticks of dynamite, police said.
Lopez was also in possession of a handgun, which is illegal because he is a convicted felon, according to police. Police established a one-block perimeter while the explosives ordnance disposal team cleared the home.
Lopez was booked at San Francisco County jail and is being charged with one felony count of possession of destructive devices, 63 felony counts of possession of explosives, one felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm, and one count of unlawful possession of fireworks, a misdemeanor.
I accept that some of the points in this article are circumstantial. We don’t know what this guy was doing with these explosives, but they aren’t fireworks.
But an unlicensed gun? This isn’t the middle ages. We aren’t running around killing each other for food anymore. Plus he has a record. Why do I want to live near someone who feels like he needs to carry a weapon designed for killing people.
Also I find the idea of not “ratting” on people who pose a danger to civil society reprehensible. This isn’t snitching on someone for stealing a cookie in 5th grade. This gangster ethos is a warped idea of “honor”. What a joke.
I’m one of your yuppie neighbors. What does that mean? I have an education, I started a company, I do volunteer work. I shop locally, I don’t litter. That’s a compelling addition to a neighborhood. Those are good things. B Random, what’s your vision? Concealed handguns?
Also, I find the
Concerned Citizen reported a bomb! Ha! Innocent until proven guilty!! The media and it’s twisted words.. check your facts before u react… ! 4rth of July let it remain a celebration full of sparkles and boom!! Independence? Ha!
Um, are you all missing the “also in possession of a handgun, which is illegal because he is a convicted felon”…happy the concerned citizen reported him. Homemade explosives and a gun, *you* want him as a neighbor?
does sfpd even have a case….those are fireworks pictured! do we even believe such words as illegal gun conifscated, convicted felon? guess so, if pictured in the news– gangster looking, mexican blanket—- sfpd nice job, causing a big showdown on 22nd- helicopters, bomb scare, waste of tax money..using a mexican in the mission to set an example. and thankyou nosy neighbor you must of had the binoculors out all night, cuz most of the white yuppies, hippies, with tight jeans that reside in the mission, were carrying the same- potent explosives and yes actually setting them off!!!!!
can’t wait for new years!
but on the real be careful people, know how to light a firework and back up a few feet! do not light it and hold it in your hand and stare…! duh!
You realize most of the people in this neighborhood really ARE grateful?
Thank You concerned citizen! This could have hurt a lot of people!
they are fire works you would have to be pretty stupid to hurt yourself with something that explodes
you clearly did not understand Patii’s point, go ahead, read it again.
63 explosive ??? Ha !! More like 6!!! They are counting the sparklers, blooming flowers as explosives !!! Was he intending to hurt someone or people??? He is a threat??? NO !!!! Just like everyone else on 4th of July wanted to have fun….. Media as always blows things up & it’s people like all of u are the reason why the situation is what it is!!!! Concerned citizen thank you for being so concerned your really a hero !!! Ha !!!
Minnie, fireworks are on their way out as appropriate ways to celebrate. They are fire hazards and while sparklers will always have a place in my heart as a symbol of the 4th of July’s of my youth, they have been shoved aside in favor of M 80’s. It isn’t people like all of us that ruined fireworks, it’s the neighborhood (with an emphasis on the word “hood”) idiots that are practically lighting sticks of dynamite to “celebrate” the 4th of July.
Whatever happened to Letters to the Editor? Unmoderated comments are for the birds.
The number to call and report the illegal use of fireworks is 415-553-0123, BTW.
Thank you Suki! I wish this number was in the article
Nice picture what’s next tacos next or piñatas SFPD?
I’m assuming the cops took that photo. “Hey let’s put the fireworks on that Mexican flag it will make him look less American, and then people won’t think we are attacking American independence”
Racist Pigs!
Yes, thank you to the person who stepped up and helped make the Mission a neighborhood, not just a non-stop explosive cabaret!
I hope others who see fireworks going off call the police. Last year I watched in horror as one incendiary device landed on a rooftop here in the East Mission.
It’s not about stopping fun- it’s about stopping a possible conflagration that could easily burn one, or several,apartment buildings down to the ground.
Sooo I’m assuming this “concerned citizen” is probably a neighbor. I think everyone should light their fireworks off by that address ( 22nd between Valencia and guerrero). Let’s show this “cowboy citizen” what the 4th is all about cuz it deffinately not about ratting on your neighbors!
B-Random- you are a thug. And an idiot.
BooooOOOOOooooOOOooOOooooooooooooOoooooOOoOoOO!
“Concerned Citizen” also prevented the next 4 alarm residential fire.
This must be the person who made all that non-stop noise on New Years eve and into New Years Day.
Thanks, “Concerned Citizen” you just killed the Mission fireworks show this year.
Thank you, “Concerned Citizen”.
what’s a tree explosive device?
“They found sixty-tree explosive devices…”
Thanks for catching that! Best, RH.