LA apartment complex evacuated, police bomb squad finds possible explosives; man in custody

Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad officers gather at the site where police arrested a man after discovering explosive material in his car and potential explosive devices in his apartment Wednesday May 15, 2013 in Los Angeles. Four buildings have been evacuated and several blocks have been sealed off. Police are withholding the man's name until the investigation has concluded.(AP Photo/Nick Ut) (The Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES – A police bomb squad combed through an apartment Wednesday afternoon after finding explosive material in a man's car and potentially explosive devices in his apartment.

The bomb squad went to the apartment complex in the Palms neighborhood on the city's west side after officers conducting a routine traffic stop Tuesday night spotted a concerning clear liquid in the vehicle, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Rudy Lopez. They also found a gun and narcotics, and the man was arrested.

An analysis of the liquid determined it could be explosive.

That discovery led to Wednesday's search of the man's apartment, where the potentially explosive devices were found.

Four buildings have been evacuated and several blocks have been sealed off.

"There are items out there that are highly concerning," Lopez said. "We don't know exactly what's in them at this time, but we're going to play it safe, assess it, remove it."

The man has not yet been formally booked, Lopez said because investigators are still determining the extent of the alleged crimes.

Police are withholding the man's name until the investigation has concluded.

"He's not going anywhere," Lopez said.

During the evacuation, residents have been directed to a nearby shelter being managed by the Red Cross.

Los Angeles firefighters and Culver City police are assisting the department. The LAPD's criminal conspiracy unit and Hazmat team are also investigating.