Explosives Found in Johannesburg Home (In California, That Is)

For a town as small as Johannesburg, California – population 180 in 2010 – it has been getting a lot of news lately. Last month it was hit by a minor earthquake and now police have arrested a man for possessing a quantity of explosives.

According to a TV news report, the bomb squad found “an extensive amount of explosives”. Johannesburg, which the TV station described as  “a remote desert location”, is an old mining town 26 miles northwest of Barstow.

On Thursday deputies apparently received a tip-off that the suspect had been making threats against local law enforcement. On searching his small house, they said they found explosives and booby traps.

“It’s pretty scary for a quiet community,” one resident said.

The suspect was held on $2 million bail.