Philadelphia

Man Set Up Shotgun Booby Traps to Secure Building: Police

A man is being questioned by police for allegedly setting up a crude and potentially deadly security system inside a North Philadelphia building.

Philadelphia Police found two shotgun booby traps inside an industrial building along the 1800 block of W. Sedgely Street around 11 a.m. on Monday, officials said.

Officers responded to the building after receiving a call for help from the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office who were in the process of serving an eviction notice, police said.

Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan tells NBC10 that the building's owner, a 58-year-old man, and a 60-year-old woman were taken into custody for refusing to heed the order. While speaking with the man, he warned police that there were rigged shotguns inside.

The owners told officers the guns were being used to keep intruders from breaking into the dilapidated building, according to Sullivan.

"The male suspect, he pointed out the location of the devices and we did find two tension-mounted shotgun shells that were made safe by the Philadelphia Police Bomb Disposal Unit," Sullivan said.

"Obviously, that's not an OK way to secure your property," he added.

Both people were taken into custody and transported Philadelphia Police's Northwest Detective division for questioning.

Sullivan said police anticipate charging the man with reckless endangerment and related offenses.

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