Two Kane County men charged with possession of 'dangerous' explosives

KANE COUNTY – An Aurora man and an Elgin man are facing charges in connection with possession of explosives after an investigation by the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

According to a news release, Samuel Calderon, 25, of the 1000 block of Fifth St., Aurora, was arrested at his home after investigators recovered various 1.3 explosive / commercial grade fireworks, 1.4 consumer grade fireworks, illegal explosives devices, and materials used to function the devices and fireworks.

Angel Lopez, 19, of the 400 block of St Charles St., Elgin, was also arrested at his home where investigators found 1.3 explosive commercial grade fireworks, 1.4 consumer grade fireworks illegal explosive devices, commonly referred to as “quarter sticks” or “M250’s,” items used in manufacturing explosive devices including flash devices, and materials used to function the devices and fireworks.

Calderon was charged with one count of Possession of Explosive and Incendiary Devices, a Class 1 felony, three counts of Possession of Bombs or Grenades, a Class 3 felony, three counts of Transferring Explosive Material without a License, a Class 3 felony and one count of Endangering the Safety of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.

Lopez was charged with three counts of Possession of Explosive and Incendiary Devices, a Class 1 felony, five counts of Possession of Bombs or Grenades, a Class 3 felony and four counts of Transferring Explosive Material without a License, a class 3 felony.

According to the news release, the Kane County Sheriff’s Hazardous Device and Materials Team and detectives began a two-weeks long investigation into suspects selling commercial grade fireworks in the Aurora and Elgin area. This case was prompted by the dramatic increase in public complaints of large scale explosive devices being launched across the county.

An undercover detective began buying illegal fireworks from one individual who had advertised the sale on social media. The seller was arrested after several small purchases, which led investigators to two people, one in Aurora and one in Elgin, who established make-shift store fronts of large scale explosives and illegal fireworks in their homes, the release stated.

After an undercover detective made additional purchases from these people, search warrants were executed at their homes.

In the release, Sheriff Ron Hain stressed that the items seized from these suspects are not fireworks, they are dangerous explosive devices that should not be in the hands unlicensed and untrained people. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the FBI and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Explosives Division.

Bomb Squad investigators and technicians will be on patrol on the 4th of July to assist deputies and local police with large scale explosive investigations and recovery.