Explosives in a Box: LAPD Bomb Squad Called After Shocking Drop-Off

Summary:
On July 26, 2025, a couple unknowingly brought military-style explosives to LAPD's Foothill Station in Pacoima, triggering an evacuation and bomb squad investigation.

A box dropped off outside the LAPD Foothill Station on Saturday, July 26, 2025, turned out to contain more than just old keepsakes—prompting an urgent response from the department’s Bomb Squad.

Around 2:30 p.m., the suspicious package was reported outside the Pacoima station, police said.

The surprise delivery came from a couple who had been cleaning out the home of a deceased family member who served in the military. While sorting through belongings, they came across a sealed box and weren’t sure what was inside. Concerned by its contents, they loaded it into their vehicle and drove it straight to the police station.

"They told the officers they didn’t know if the items were bombs or whether the bombs were active. The officers went out, looked inside the box, and found what appeared to be four or five military-style bombs," said LAPD Captain Warner Castillo. "They took the box containing the explosives from the garage and brought it here to the station. They put it in their car and drove from their home to the police station."

The station, along with nearby homes and businesses, was evacuated as bomb technicians began their investigation. A robot was used to safely inspect the box over several hours.

Authorities later confirmed that four of the devices were indeed explosives.

Captain Castillo noted that by transporting the box themselves, the couple had unknowingly put themselves in danger. Police emphasized that anyone who finds items that may be explosive should contact authorities immediately—never attempt to move or handle them.