On the Street

California Police Find Pipe Bomb in Man's Pants

June 27, 2014

A 19-year-old man pulled over by police for driving a car with expired registration was found with a pipe bomb in his pants pocket, authorities said Thursday.

CLAYTON, Calif. -- A 19-year-old man pulled over by police for driving a car with expired registration was found with a pipe bomb in his pants pocket, authorities said Thursday.

Police stopped Joseph Nichols for expired registration at 11:55 p.m. Wednesday at Clayton and Mitchell Canyon roads, not far from Clayton's downtown, said Chief Chris Thorsen.

A subsequent search of Nichols uncovered a pipe bomb in his pants pocket, Thorsen said. The Walnut Creek Police Department bomb squad, called to the scene by Clayton police, later rendered the device safe.

Nichols, of Oakley, was booked on suspicion of felony possession of a destructive device, police said.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service