2nd case of explosive device mailed to Bay Area home concerns postal inspector

Byby Katie Utehs KGO logo
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
2nd case of explosive device mailed to Bay Area home concerns postal inspector
The U.S. Postal Inspector confirms they are investigating two cases where packages exploded at Bay Area homes after being delivered in the mail.

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KGO) -- The U.S. Postal Inspector confirms they are investigating two cases where packages exploded at Bay Area homes after being delivered in the mail.

RELATED: USPS investigating after explosive device mailed to Alameda home

The first incident occurred in Alameda Sunday. A second case was confirmed in Palo Alto Monday evening.

"He fidgeted with it a little bit and when he did so, he held it at a distance and that's when it really exploded," said Veronica Maldonado, whose father, Ricardo suffered injuries when a suspicious package exploded on Oct. 19.

It arrived a few days earlier and Ricardo opened it in the backyard. Maldonado says the box was a foot long. "Luckily it exploded in the opposite direction from where he was standing so he wasn't hurt very much, other than his hand a little bit -- the one that was holding the box."

The victims in East Palo Alto told ABC7 News they don't know why their family was targeted, but the package was labeled as if it came from a local jewelry store.

"What's most suspicious about it is it's a jewelry store box and none of us had ordered anything like that, but it is something that would pique someone's interest they would want to open it," Maldonado added.

A package exploded on Alameda's Bay Farm Island last week and a woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The injured individual is a City of Alameda employee and officials are not releasing any names at this time. Investigators will not say if they think the incidents are connected.

If you receive a suspicious package, please call for help by using 911 or by contacting your local police. Here are some things to look for:

--Oily stains on the package

--Protruding wires

--Misspellings

--Delivery of packages you didn't order