Apple Cider Bomb Threat Averted

The Santa Cruz County Bomb Team proved its utility Friday morning when a homeless man threatened the safety of the Live Oak neighborhood surrounding 30th Avenue and Brommer Street with a homemade bomb in a Martinelli's bottle.

At what Sheriff's Deputy April Skalland estimated to be "around 7:30," a deputy made contact with the 40-year-old homeless man on 30th Avenue near the railroad tracks. After talking to him briefly, the man became fidgety and it was clear that he was under the influence of a controlled substance.

The deputy asked the man, identified as Glen Goclon, if he had anything on him, at which point he picked up his two bags and fled the scene on foot. It took two officers and several minutes to wrestle Goclon to the ground and handcuff him.

"He was saying 'I don't want to go back,' and other things that would heighten our awareness that there's something not right with the situation," Skalland said, which prompted further questions and Goclon's admission that he had a bomb in his backpack. 

Goclon claimed that the bomb was for his safety and protection, Skalland said.

The officers left the bags, taped off the area for the bomb squad and put Goclon in a sheriff's vehicle.

Upon arrival, the bomb team x-rayed Goclon's bags and ultimately destroyed them.

"What was inside is what you would describe as a Martinelli's small apple cider bottle with explosive powder and three wicks coming out of it," Skalland said.

Santa Cruz Sheriff's Lt. Amy Christey described the device to Skalland as a "pipe bomb but smaller grade," which Skalland said "could hurt someone or cause property damage."

Goclon was arrested for possession of an explosive destructive device and resisting arrest. While he had no outstanding warrants, Goclon does have an extensive criminal history including assault with a deadly weapon.

The bomb squad asked residents of the 30th Avenue area where the incident occurred to evacuate, although it was not mandatory. Some opted to stay in their homes and the evacuation was called off after the area was cleared.