CRAZY!!

Reward offered for stolen, unstable explosives

From wire reports Article Last Updated: 11/17/2008 07:54:46 AM PST TUSTIN - Authorities will announce an increase today in the $5,000 reward offered for information leading to the recovery of more than 250 pounds of unstable explosives stolen from a shed in Orange County's Black Star Canyon. Stolen along with 250 pounds of Hercomite dynamite packaged in 50-pound boxes were 75 blasting caps in cardboard boxes, 250 feet of explosive detonating cord and 500 feet of fuse coated in black tar, said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino. The theft was reported on Oct. 8, he said. A $5,000 reward was offered last month, but the new amount, authorities said, will be a "substantial" cash reward. A live demonstration will demonstrate the destructive potential of the stolen explosives, Amormino said. About 100 pounds of the dynamite was recovered at the scene, but it was in a deteriorated condition, leading to fears that what remains missing is in the same state, and should be considered extremely dangerous, Amormino said. There is a likelihood that the explosives were dumped or stashed in an isolated location, possibly in the Black Star Canyon or Cleveland National Forest, where it may pose a danger to others, he said. Extensive searches using dogs, helicopters and ground search personnel from various agencies have not led to recovery, and authorities are asking for the public's help, Amormino said. The material was believed taken from the privately owned shed in the canyon between Sept. 28 and Oct. 8, Amormino said. "We do not know why this individual was storing this material, but we do know that it was old and very unstable," Amormino said. Officials urged anyone with information about the materials to call 911 immediately