A Turlock’s man plan to sell illegal fireworks on Craigslist fizzled out Wednesday when he found himself under arrest.
The Merced Police Department’s Disruptive Area Response Team saw the ad posted in the online forum and arranged to meet the seller, later identified as Christopher Hamby, 22, of Turlock, in the parking lot of a hardware store in Merced.
When Hamby arrived at the spot and showed the undercover officer the illegal fireworks he was placed under arrest. Hamby was charged with selling illegal fireworks, possession of illegal fireworks and advertisement of illegal fireworks. Hamby was booked at the Merced County Jail.
The only fireworks that are legal in this area are those approved by the State Fire Marshal, which carry the Safe and Sane logo. Piccolo Pete’s and/or Whistling Pete’s are illegal in Turlock, as are any fireworks that have been modified or altered. This includes fireworks which fly into the air or explode.
