Bomb Squad Detonates Grenade Found in Richmond Motel Room of Man Wanted for Stalking

A bomb squad detonated a grenade on Tuesday that was found inside the Richmond motel room of a man wanted for stalking his ex-girlfriend, police said today.

Oscar Barrera, 34, of Richmond, was arrested on suspicion of outstanding warrants and offenses related to having an explosive device, Richmond police Sgt. Nicole Abetkov said. Around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, officers were executing an arrest warrant at Seahorse Motel, located at 909 Cutting Blvd., where officers located and detained Barrera, Abetkov said. While officers were searching the room, they found what appeared to be a live “pineapple-style” grenade, which Abetkov said tend to be from the World War II era.

Abetkov said Richmond police asked the Walnut Creek Police Department’s bomb squad, which serves the region, to respond. They secured the explosive and detonated it, she said. Abetkov said Barrera has been on the department’s radar since last December when a detective began looking into allegations that he was stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Barrera allegedly violated a restraining order “at least 50 times, but probably close to 100” times, Abetkov said. He violated the restraining order again on Tuesday morning and when the detectives couldn’t locate him then, they came back the same night, she said.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock

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