Three people are in custody in connection with a string of explosions in Vista.
We thank the public for calling in tips including sharing surveillance video from a security camera that helped identify a black car seen in one of the locations of the blast.
Sheriff’s Detectives spotted the car after midnight on Saturday, May 7th in the 1200 block of North Santa Fe Avenue. Deputies with the Vista Patrol Station tried to pull the car over, but the driver took off. During the short two-mile pursuit, passengers started throwing explosive devices out of the car’s window.
The car eventually stopped in the 1800 block of Queens Way in an unincorporated area of Vista. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit collected two explosive devices along the pursuit route and rendered them safe.
A search warrant was served for the car and a house in the 1200 block of North Santa Fe Avenue. Additional explosive devices, bomb making materials, a preparation station along with rifles, handguns and ammunition were seized. Three children including a baby were found in the house. They were not hurt. County Child Protective Services (CPS) was notified and relatives took custody of the 14-year-old boy, 7-year-old girl and infant.
The investigation is continuing, but there appears to be no specific target for the explosions. No one was hurt and no property was damaged in the incidents.
Valentin Castaneda (DOB: 9/25/1996) is facing charges of possessing a destructive device near a church and on public streets, possessing material with intent to make explosives, exploding a device with intent to terrify, felony evading and child endangerment.
Juan Jose Castaneda Santiago (DOB 5/20/1999) and Caleigh Tabler (DOB 10/4/2000) are facing charges of being an accessory after the fact and child endangerment.
All three will be booked at Vista Detention Facility.
