Crews detonate 100 pounds of explosives, chemicals found at Hollister home

Crews are still on scene Tuesday at a home in Hollister that prompted a hazmat evacuation Monday night. Officers with the FBI also were on scene Tuesday morning along with members of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office.

Late Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement went to a field at the Hollister Airport with 100 pounds of explosives removed from the home on the 2300 block of Glenview Drive. Bomb squad began detonating it just before 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The homeowner said he has been in the military collectibles business for about 20 years, both selling and buying. He had two warehouses full of such items that he recently consolidated at his home.

Environmental Health Services says the homeowner has a permit to do business and sell these types of items, but they didn’t realize he had this much at his residence. They have had to regulate him in the past.

Police originally responded to the home Monday evening for a possible burglary. When officers responded to take the report, that’s when they noticed the hazardous materials inside.

Hollister Police said the home has been burglarized in the past, and military guns were taken but those were later tracked down and returned to the homeowner. Police say some guns are now missing because of this latest burglary.

Officers with the Monterey County Bomb Squad described the man as a hoarder, and said the house was so packed that they’ve had to go in one-by-one to remove everything. The house was full of explosives and weaponry, and was so crowded there was little space left for crews to move around in.

The homeowner has been cooperating with authorities.