Five suspects were arrested on suspicion of possessing explosive materials near a school after officers searched a building on the 12000 block of Philadelphia Street, police said.
At about 7 p.m., officers heard an alarm coming from the block and saw an open roll-up door with people inside the building, according to police. The officers thought a robbery might be in progress, and their investigation led them to a supply of illegal fireworks inside.
After obtaining a warrant, police, with help from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, found about 2.5 tons of fireworks.
Police estimated the street value of the fireworks at $100,000. An investigator with L.A. County Fire called it one of the three largest seizures of illegal fireworks this year.
Sergio Alvarez, Alfred Henderson, John Belden, Aneli Quiroz and Adrianna Beltran were all arrested and are being held on $500,000 bail.
