San Pedro Bomb Making suspect out on Bond
50,000 bond seems a bit light for someone who is suspected of being a bomb maker.
In addition to the search warrant, an arrest warrant was also prepared for the arrest of Nelson Paul Chandler for violations of Penal Code sections 12303 and 12312.
In preparation for the service of the search warrant in San Pedro, and due to the nature of the investigation, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Bomb Squad personnel contacted members of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Bomb Squad. In addition to the LAPD Bomb Squad, the Harbor Area station of the LAPD was contacted and agreed to assist with the service of the search warrant. The search warrant was served on Chandler’s residence and he was taken into custody without incident.
During the service of the search warrant, investigators found items consistent with the manufacturing of explosive devices and other items that were consistent with those discovered inside of the black case found in Isla Vista. In addition, investigators discovered unknown chemical liquids at the San Pedro residence which prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to summon its Hazardous Materials team.
The LAPD Haz-Mat team was able to identify the unknown chemicals so they could be handled accordingly. During this time period, several residences located in the 2900 block of S. Carolina St. were evacuated for safety purposes. Residents were allowed back into their homes a short time later after the threat was eliminated.
Due to the cooperation between the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Division, Bomb Squad and Haz Mat team, this investigation came to a successful and safe conclusion.
The suspect, Nelson Paul Chandler, (DOB 9/29/89), was transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked Saturday morning, May 14, 2011, on a $50,000 warrant for violations of 12303 PC - Possession of Destructive Devices and 12312 PC - Possession of Materials with the intent to Manufacture Destructive Devices. Chandler posted bond and was released from jail late Wednesday afternoon, May 18, 2011.