Police Investigate Small Explosion On Novato Street

NOVATO, CA – Police are seeking the public's help in identifying the person or people responsible for starting a small explosion Sunday afternoon on a residential Novato street.

The explosion occurred at about 2:45 p.m. near Court Road and Bruno Street, according to the Novato Police Department.

While the explosion left a small indentation on the street's pavement, no injuries were reported, police said. Investigators believe the damage was likely caused by a firework similar to an M-80.

This incident is not the first time that police have investigated explosions in the city. Officials said other similar explosions were caused by what police believed were airborne ignitions of an explosive gas in a balloon.

No reports of injuries or property damage have ever been reported in connection with the prior explosions, police said.

"We consider these acts to be dangerous and disturbing to the quality of life of our residents and community members," police said in a statement. "We are taking these incidents seriously and will seek to ensure the person(s) responsible is held accountable to the highest extent of the law."

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or suspects is asked to contact Novato police Sgt. Jennifer Dunlap at 415-899-7030 or email police at police@novato.org. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call the police department's tip line at 415-899-7095.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Patch file photo