Hundreds of fireworks seized from stolen U-Haul: SFPD

(KRON) — The San Francisco Police Department seized hundreds of illegal fireworks after stopping a stolen U-Haul truck in the city’s Bayview District Thursday evening.

SFPD officers seized various rockets and barrel bombs during the traffic stop, SFPD said. The driver of the stolen U-Haul, 38-year-old Joe Jenkins of San Francisco, was booked into the San Francisco County Jail for the following charges:

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• Driving or taking a vehicle without consent (10851(a) CVC)
• Receiving a stolen vehicle (496d(a) PC)
• Possession of a large number of fireworks (12700(b)(3) PC)
• Illegal possession of explosives (12305 HS)
• 26 counts of illegal possession of explosives (12305 HS)

SFPD Interim Chief Paul Yep thanked officers for removing the fireworks from city streets ahead of the Fourth of July.

“I want to thank our officers for taking these extremely dangerous explosives off our streets,” Yep said. “This large cache of fireworks could have caused untold destruction in our city. Every year, fireworks lead to serious injuries, fires, and other critical incidents that our officers routinely respond to. “

The San Francisco Police Department is increasing staffing for this year’s Fourth of July with plans to seize more illegal fireworks. SFPD reminds the public that all fireworks are illegal in San Francisco. People are encouraged to enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks show along the waterfront instead of setting off their own fireworks.