Federal Agents Thwart Man's Explosive Alleged Plot Against Officers During La Riots

A man is successful custody aft national authorities foiled an alleged scheme to usage large-scale fireworks and different explosive devices against constabulary and authorities officials astatine riots protesting deportation efforts in California. 

Grzegorz Vandenberg, 48, is facing national charges for allegedly buying fireworks pinch nan intent to harm law enforcement officers and authorities officials astatine nan Los Angeles protests, the Department of Justice said successful a property release. 

Vandenberg allegedly visited a recreation halfway successful New Mexico, wherever he "requested assistance successful selecting fireworks that could beryllium thrown straight astatine group to origin harm," according to prosecutors. 

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A rule enforcement serviceman fires a less-lethal projectile during a protestation Saturday, June 14, 2025, successful Los Angeles. (Noah Berger)

While astatine nan store, national authorities allege, he told labor he antecedently served successful nan military’s typical forces and claimed he could make tube bombs earlier revealing he was readying to recreation to Los Angeles to termination rule enforcement officers and authorities officials successful nan anti-ICE riots. 

"This man allegedly intended to usage nan chaotic riots successful Los Angeles arsenic an opportunity to perpetrate deadly unit against rule enforcement officers," Attorney General Pam Bondi said successful a statement. "Threats for illustration these onslaught astatine nan bosom of rule and order. We will not hesitate to bring national charges against anyone who seeks to harm rule enforcement aliases endanger nan information of our communities."

Staff members astatine nan shop told authorities Vandenberg requested to bargain nan "largest explosives available" and invited an worker to subordinate him astatine nan riots, nan DOJ said. 

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Protesters conflict pinch constabulary successful Los Angeles June 8, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

He besides allegedly claimed to beryllium successful possession of mortar explosives and further revealed his scheme to usage them connected officers astatine nan riots. Vandenberg yet "purchased six mortars," each containing 60 grams of gunpowder, and 36 ample fireworks, according to national prosecutors. 

"Our connection is clear: If you travel aft rule enforcement officers, nan FBI will spare nary effort to find you and bring you to justice," FBI Director Kash Patel said. "This suspect allegedly intended to usage explosives to onslaught constabulary officers presently conducting rule enforcement operations successful Los Angeles and – pinch nan thief of a shop cashier who took down his licence sheet accusation – we were capable to put a extremity to that plan." 

The DOJ did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital's petition for comment. 

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Sheriff's deputies guidelines amid tear state during a "No Kings" objection successful nan one-square-mile area wherever regular protests person been occurring successful consequence to national migration raids June 14, 2025, successful Los Angeles. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Vandenberg was charged pinch transporting explosives successful interstate commerce pinch nan knowledge and intent that they would beryllium utilized to kill, injure aliases intimidate individuals, according to nan DOJ. He is successful custody arsenic he awaits proceedings and faces up to 10 years successful national situation if convicted. 

Fox News Digital was incapable to instantly place an lawyer for Vandenberg. 

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"Targeting rule enforcement pinch unit is not protestation – it’s a crime," U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for nan District of New Mexico said. "Anyone who attempts to harm officers aliases undermine nationalist information will beryllium held accountable."