Collingdale man linked to ATM blasts in Philly
He faces charges linked to cache of explosives
PHILADELPHIA » A Collingdale man has been identified as a person of interest in the illegal distribution of explosive devices – similar to those being used to gain access to automated teller machines in Philadelphia.
Juan Cortez was identified as the person of interest as part of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives task force, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
According to a prepared release issued Thursday by ATF, since June 3, there has been an increase in the criminal use of similar types of explosive devices on ATM machines in Philadelphia.
Cortez was arrested on July 2 after officers from the Philadelphia Highway Patrol conducted a car stop that yielded the recovery of a large cache of consumer fireworks, along with about 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,” the release states.
A search warrant was subsequently executed at Cortez’s residence, with the assistance of the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division Bomb Squad. That search, according to the release, yielded the recovery of addition M devices and transaction records.
The seized devices ranged in sizes from 2 ½ to 6 inches, and are commonly referred to as “M80s,” “M-100’s,” “M-1000’s” or “quarter sticks.”
Since June 3, 2018, these types of devices have been used in attempts to gain access to various ATMs in the city of Philadelphia, as well as various acts of vandalism.
According to ATF, these devices contain enough explosive material to cause serious bodily injury, and in certain cases, death.
“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,” the release states. “Homemade explosive materials and products can pose a particular risk for injury, because the person(s) manufacturing 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 (CPSC) 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 having information about the possession, manufacture and/or sale of these types of devices is asked to 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 at www.atf. gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app or by visiting www.reportit.com, using the Philadelphia Field Division as the location.
The seized devices ranged in sizes from 2 ½ to 6 inches, and are commonly referred to as “M-80s,” “M-100’s,” “M-1000’s” or “quarter sticks.”