PORT ANGELES — State Patrol troopers searched a Port Angeles home and found deconstructed fireworks after a tip that the occupant could be making an explosive device.
The residence was searched after police arrested David J. Pharr, 26, of Port Angeles. Pharr was taken into custody without incident at about 8:30 p.m. Friday, said Patrol Sgt. Josh Powless.
Pharr remained in the Clallam County jail Monday on $75,000 bond for investigation of unlawful possession of a firearm, assault in the fourth degree-domestic violence and possession of methamphetamine.
The domestic violence charge is unrelated to the explosives investigation, Powless said.
The arrest stemmed from information received that indicated Pharr — who has a felony conviction out of California — was in unlawful possession of firearms, Powless said.
The tip was made by someone acquainted with Pharr, Powless said.
The information also indicated Pharr was making homemade explosives, Powless said.
“Initially, what was reported to us was a pipe bomb,” he said.
“But as far I understand right now, we didn’t find that.”
Further investigation developed probable cause for Pharr’s arrest, as well as for a search warrant for the residence in which he had been staying, Powless said.
Officers arrested Pharr after he was seen walking in the area of Eighth and Lincoln streets.
Based on the information regarding Pharr’s possession of a homemade explosive device, the State Patrol Explosives Unit was requested, Powless said.
Once the residence was examined and secured by the explosives unit, officers and detectives searched the residence and located multiple firearms, as well as deconstructed fireworks, Powless said.
It appeared the fireworks were going to be meshed together for recreational purposes, Powless said.
“It sounds like he was trying to do that with the intent of making an impressive firework, not necessarily [to make] an explosive device, based on what I know right now,” Powless said.
Investigation into the ownership and origin of the firearms is underway.
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Features Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@ peninsuladailynews.com.