California man arrested for transformer bombings had explosive materials in home: Police

A California man accused of blowing up two Pacific Gasoline and Electrical transformers allegedly had massive quantities of explosive supplies and an inactive methamphetamine lab in his dwelling, authorities mentioned.

Peter Karasev, 36, of San Jose, was arrested on Wednesday and faces a number of expenses, together with two counts of exploding a damaging machine, two counts of destroying {an electrical} line and an arson cost associated to the “transformer bombings,” Santa Clara County Deputy District Legal professional Victoria Robinson advised reporters Friday.

The incidents occurred in January and December 2022 at two separate areas, San Jose police mentioned. The explosions broken the PG&E transformers, leaving hundreds with out energy.

Detectives decided the incidents could have been linked, and surveillance footage and mobile phone pings led investigators to Karasev, who was arrested on Wednesday, authorities mentioned.

A big legislation enforcement presence descended on his dwelling Wednesday afternoon and has remained lively, based on ABC San Francisco station KGO.

“Not solely is there explosive materials right here, there’s chemical substances used to fabricate narcotics,” San Jose Police Sgt. Christian Camarillo advised KGO.

“Lethal, lethal mixture in a residential neighborhood with youngsters within the dwelling,” he added.

As a result of quantity of supplies, police known as in federal assets to assist with dealing with and “rendering secure” the proof, Camarillo mentioned.

Police mentioned there was an inactive meth lab on the dwelling and that Kaserev allegedly admitted to utilizing methamphetamine as a substitute for Adderall throughout an Adderall scarcity, KGO reported.

A motive for the blowing up of the transformers was not instantly out there. ABC Information was unable to succeed in an lawyer for Karasev.

Police count on to be processing the scene for a number of extra days, San Jose Police Officer Steven Aponte advised KGO on Friday.

Karasev was charged with possessing supplies with the intent to create a damaging machine for objects present in his dwelling, based on Robinson.

He was ordered held with out bail throughout an arraignment listening to on Friday. He’s subsequent scheduled to look in courtroom on April 26 for a plea listening to, on-line courtroom data present.

Whereas arguing for supervised launch throughout Friday’s listening to, the general public defender’s workplace mentioned that Karasev is a software program engineer at an organization that develops self-driving automobiles and is married with three youngsters between the ages of 1 and 5, KGO reported.

Karasev might face extra expenses because the investigation continues, prosecutors mentioned.