Overview

• Routine compliance check by Stanislaus County probation officers at the 3900 block of Blaker Road led to the discovery of a suspected explosive device on Tuesday.
• Ceres police assisted in evacuating nearby homes, shutting down surrounding roads as the Stanislaus County bomb squad moved in to assess the scene.
• Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the device was live before transporting it to a secure location where technicians rendered it safe.
• Janmichael Valdez, 45, was arrested at the scene on charges of possessing an explosive device.
• The Ceres Police Department continues its investigation into the incident under standard interagency protocols.