VISTA — Authorities arrested two men in separate incidents on July 4 in Vista for alleged illegal fireworks activity, one of whom was also found with a loaded firearm, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
The first arrest followed an undercover operation coordinated by the Sheriff’s Bomb Arson Unit and Vista area detectives after investigators received a tip on July 3 about someone selling illegal fireworks in the area.
Around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, deputies conducted a traffic stop of Isaac Mandujano, 23, near the 2100 block of University Drive, after he had allegedly arranged to sell fireworks to undercover detectives, officials said.
Deputies said Mandujano was also carrying a loaded Glock 17 handgun and an extra magazine. A search of the vehicle turned up illegal fireworks, a container of marijuana, a water bong and brass knuckles.
He did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon and was arrested on suspicion of multiple firearm and drug-related violations, including carrying a loaded and concealed weapon in public, being under the influence while armed and possessing brass knuckles.
He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility after providing a blood sample.
Later that evening, just after 11 p.m., deputies on patrol at Foothill Oak Elementary School on Oak Drive contacted 42-year-old Ethan Gentzsch in the school’s parking lot. Deputies said he was cleaning up a large quantity of mortar-style fireworks and had 22 pounds of unfired fireworks remaining.
Gentzsch told deputies he did not have a permit for the fireworks and was cited for possession of unclassified fireworks, a misdemeanor under state law. He was released at the scene, and the fireworks were seized.
