With the Fourth of July right around the corner, Mesa police officers are getting in front of illegal firework possession and sales. Just yesterday, on June 8, 2024, officers pulled over a vehicle with a suspended license plate. While speaking to the driver, 22-year-old Nicholas Ruiz, and passenger, 47-year-old Carlos Barron, officers saw boxes of illegal fireworks in the vehicle.
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| Illegal Fireworks |
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Illegal Fireworks
|
Officers learned that Ruiz bought the fireworks in New Mexico and he and
Barron had hopes of selling them for profit in Mesa. Officers seized over 50
suspected high explosive devices and booked both men into jail for possession
of illegal fireworks and illegal fireworks for sale.
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| Nicholas Ruiz |
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| Carlos Barron |
Just hours after the first stop, Mesa police officers stopped another
vehicle for displaying plates not valid for highway use. Officers saw boxes of
illegal fireworks in the bed of the truck.
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| Illegal Fireworks |
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| Illegal Fireworks |
While speaking to the driver, 27-year-old Ivan Mejia, officers learned
that he bought the fireworks in Nevada and was selling them to people through
on line resources. Officers seized over 20 suspected high explosive devices and
booked Mejia into jail for possession of illegal fireworks and illegal fireworks
for sale.
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| Ivan Mejia |
Fireworks
can be fun and we want everyone to enjoy the upcoming holiday, safely! Mesa
police officers will be out and about enforcing firework laws and arresting
anyone who violates them.
For more
information on when fireworks can be used, which fireworks are legal, and how
to report illegal firework activity, click HERE
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