Police: Eviction Notification Leads To Discovery Of Shotgun Booby-Trap Inside North Philly Building
By Steve Beck and Syma Chowdhry
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The attempt to evict a couple from a Philadelphia warehouse led to the discovery of a shotgun booby-trap, police said.
The incident happened Monday morning inside a building in the 1800 block of W. Sedgley Avenue in North Philadelphia.
According to investigators, the incident began when members of the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office went to the home to evict a couple that was living in the property.
When the couple, a man in his 50's and a woman in her 60's, did not cooperate, the sheriff's department called police.
Once police arrived, the man told them he had booby traps set up in the structure, pointing out the locations.
Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan says,"Shot gun shell tension rig trip wire booby traps. They were disarmed. They went out of function at the designed but the intent was still there."
Three live traps were found. Police also found components for two additional devices that were not set-up.
During the process, animal control was called to removed two adult dogs and three puppies.
Although the home looks abandoned, there are living quarters in one area of this building, that the two once owned.
The couple told police they set up booby traps because people were breaking into the warehouse, which has a lot of structural damage.
Sullivan says, "People were entering the property and taking things, but with that being said, you cannot place booby traps of this type."
Neighbors Eyewitness News spoke with say the couple is known to be friendly and helpful to the community and would only set up dangerous devices to protect themselves.
Rob Dawson, a neighbor, says, "People break into the place, and he is in there by himself with his family, so naturally, you want to try and be safe."
Another neighbor, Mont, says, "He wouldn't harm anyone. My guess is he was doing that as personal protection. If it did happen, it was something personal, he wouldn't actually harm nobody."
The couple is now facing reckless endangerment charges and other related charges.
You May Also Be Interested In:
