Clearlake Police Lt. Mike Hermann said Donald Raymond Ferris, 47, was arrested Friday morning on felony parole violations.
Hermann called Ferris – a registered arsonist currently on parole – a “person of interest” in the case.
The makeshift bomb, composed of black powder, a fuse and various other materials, was found under a trailer in the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park on Highway 53 after midnight Friday morning, said Hermann.
It appeared someone had tried to ignite the bomb, with the homeowner spotting the flame on the fuse and going outside to put it out, said Hermann.
Hermann said police haven't determined who lit the bomb at this point or how long it had been under the trailer.
Both Lake County Fire Protection District and Clearlake Police responded to the scene at 12:43 a.m., Hermann said. Police closed down the area and evacuated part of the mobile home park.
Napa County Bomb Squad was called in to deal with the bomb, which Hermann said they moved to a safe location and detonated several hours later.
Hermann said Ferris was a past resident of the mobile home park, although the bomb wasn't found under the trailer in which he had lived.
When police contacted Ferris Friday morning, Hermann said they found in his home items they allege are consistent with those used to make the bomb, and which are being forwarded to the Department of Justice for analysis.
Ferris, who Hermann said police have had contact with before, was arrested at 8:30 a.m. and is being held without bail, according to jail records.
Hermann said the investigation into the incident is continuing.
Clearlake Police occasionally gets reports of homemade pipe bombs, although Hermann said it's been a while since one was last reported.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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