A home in the suburbs of Brentwood was raided on Tuesday by detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office, where they discovered a DMT drug lab and potentially explosive materials, according to an official statement released by the Sheriff's Office. The bust occurred around 9:52 AM at a residence on the 800 block of Shasta Daisy Drive, where law enforcement found a DMT manufacturing setup and ran into a potentially dangerous situation with a possible explosive compound.
Officers from the Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad were called in when the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program identified the substance suspected to be TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide), a highly volatile explosive. In a precise and careful operation, two containers were moved to a secure location for a controlled detonation while the third was set off at the scene. The surrounding neighborhood was evacuated as a precaution. Thankfully, all three containers were detonated without any harm to the public. The raid led to the arrest of one individual, Jonathan McCarthy, who was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant and is a parolee at large.
Still at large, however, are two suspects with a laundry list of charges, including burglary, narcotics violations, and possession of an explosive device. The Sheriff's Office is actively seeking information on 44-year-old Maxwell Hayworth and 42-year-old Danielle Kumerow, both residents of Brentwood. There's an eagerness to bring these individuals to justice, particularly considering the child endangerment charges they are facing. Citizens with information about the incident or the suspects' whereabouts are urged to step forward and aid in the ongoing investigation.
Authorities commended the joint effort of multiple agencies in addressing the hazardous situation, which involved not only local police but also the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and other emergency services. The Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by these partners in an official communication posted to social media.
