Delco Man Sold Explosives Used In ATM Robbery Attempts: Feds

COLLINGDALE, PA – Through a combined investigation, federal, state, and local authorities arrested and charged a Delaware County man for allegedly selling illegal explosive devices, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Arson and Explosives Task Force.

The ATF, Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, and the District Attorney’s Office of Delaware County identified Juan Cortez, of Collingdale, as a person of interest in the illegal distribution of the explosive devices.

Since June 3, these types of explosive devices had been increasingly used on ATMs in the city of Philadelphia in attempts to steal money from the machines and in random acts of vandalism.

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Federal authorities said on July 2 that Cortez was arrested after officers from the Philadelphia Highway Patrol conducted a car-stop that yielded the recovery of a large cache of consumer fireworks along with approximately 80 "M-type devices," some similar to the devices used in the ATM explosions.

The car Cortez was driving at the time of the stop was also used during a number of undercover purchases that investigators conducted, authorities said.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Cortez's residence with the assistance of the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division Bomb Squad which led to authorities seizing more M devices and transaction records of explosive sales, according to the ATF.

The seized explosives ranged in sizes from two-and-a-half inches to six inches, and are commonly referred to as "M-80s," "M-100's," "M-1000's," or "quarter sticks."

These devices contain enough explosive material to cause serious bodily injury, and in certain cases, death, the ATF said.

These devices are often illegally manufactured, sold and used during the 4th of July fireworks season and are inherently dangerous due to their explosive material composition and unpredictability during their manufacture, transportation and use, according to the ATF.

Homemade explosive materials and products can pose a particular risk for injury, because those who are making these devices often lack the knowledge, skills, and experience required for such explosive related activities.

ATF, the Department of Transportation and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission consider these "M class" explosive devices, along with "cherry bombs" and "silver salutes," illegal because they exceed the CPSC explosive weight limits for their classification of consumer fireworks.

Anyone with information about the possession, manufacture and/or sale of these types of devices should call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477).

Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF's website here. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit app or by visiting the app's website here, using the Philadelphia Field Division as the location.

Images via Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives