A man is in custody after deputies found him with several Molotov cocktails and other dangerous explosive materials in Vista.
On Monday, January 17 around 5:30 a.m., deputies from the Vista Sheriff’s Station responded to a call of an illegal camper in the 1600 block of Ridge Road. When deputies arrived, they found Christopher Lee Fore (DOB 7/2/1988) sitting in the driver’s seat of his car. They also saw a loaded crossbow in the front passenger seat.
During a search of the car, deputies found a metal military ammunition can that contained two large freezer-type bags with the labels “Ammonium Nitrate” and “Potassium Nitrate”. Believing they were possibly dealing with explosives and precursors to homemade explosives, deputies backed away from the car to a safe location and shut down traffic in the area. Nearby residents were also advised to shelter in place.
Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Detectives responded to the location and were assisted by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agents. Detectives completed a thorough search of the car. They located six Molotov cocktails, black powder and a small amount of methamphetamine. The car was later towed.
Fore was arrested on felony charges related to the unlawful possession of an explosive and possessing material with intent to make an explosive. Fore was processed and booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
No intended target was identified by detectives. However, based on the danger Fore poses to the safety of the community, an increase in bail was requested and granted in the amount of $500,000.
Contact: Sergeant Greg Hampton
Greg.Hampton@sdsheriff.org
Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit
