Aurora Man Accused Of Selling Illegal Fireworks To Police

AURORA, IL — A 36-year-old Aurora man is facing felony charges after the Kane County Sheriff’s Office said he set up a makeshift fireworks store in his home. Samuel Calderon was arrested this week at his home in the 1000 block of Fifth Street in the city as officials try to crack down on illegal fireworks after a huge increase in 911 calls.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said Tuesday that the city’s 911 dispatch center has seen a 170 percent increase in fireworks-related calls over the past month.

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The Kane County Sheriff’s Office said deputies searched Calderon’s home and found commercial- and consumer-grade fireworks — including quarter sticks — as well as materials needed to make explosive devices and fireworks.

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Calderon was charged with one count of possessing an explosive or incendiary device, three counts of possessing bombs or grenades, and three counts of transferring explosive material without a license, all felonies, according to Kane County court records. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of endangering the safety of a child, police said.

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Angel Lopez, 19, of Elgin, also faces explosives-related charges after police alleged he set up a fireworks store in his home, according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said the devices that were seized are "dangerous explosive devices that should not be in the hands (of) unlicensed and untrained people."

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Hain warned residents that the sheriff’s bomb squad is set to patrol areas of the county July 4 and help local police with large-scale investigations into fireworks and explosives.