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Suspected Explosive Device Found In Citrus Heights Home, Man Arrested

CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS13) – A dramatic night unfolded in one Citrus Heights neighborhood after crews found a possible explosive device following a kitchen fire in a home.

One suspect is in custody and Citrus Heights Police were still on scene investigating Thursday morning.

According to authorities, fire crews responded to a kitchen fire on the 7000 block of Peachetree Avenue in Citrus Heights just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. When the fire was put out, fire crews noticed a suspicious material in the home. Multiple agencies were then called out for further investigation.

Sacramento County Explosive Ordinance Disposal found the material was suspicious and set-up a perimeter in the neighborhood.

Some people in the area were encouraged to evacuate while it was safer for some to stay in their homes.

"It is scary. It was really horrifying, especially to learn that we could have been the victim of an explosion," said neighbor Erin May.

Members of the FBI and Homeland Security were on scene as well.

At around 2 a.m. Thursday, Citrus Heights Police announced that the Sac County EOD conducted two safely controlled explosive detonations and that an alleged suspect – 25-year-old Cale Crase – is in custody.

Crase was arrested on charges of possession of explosive devices, possessing illegal materials with intent to construct explosive devices and possessing a firearm silencer.

Crase
Crase's booking photo. (Credit: Citrus Heights Police)
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