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Suspect charged in May 10 explosion in Fullerton; he’s a convicted bank robber

by in News

FULLERTON — A convicted bank robber injured in an explosion on Harbor Boulevard last month in Fullerton was scheduled to be arraigned Monday on charges of possession of destructive devices.

Tim Beck, 59, was charged May 31 with two counts of possession of a destructive device and two counts of reckless or malicious possession of a destructive device or explosive in a public place, all felonies.

Beck is a convicted bank robber out of Washington state, according to the criminal complaint.

Police were called to the 1100 block of South Harbor Boulevard at 8:50 a.m. May 10 for what initially was thought to be an electrical box explosion, Fullerton police Lt. Jon Radus said.

When officers arrived, they found the unidentified man with serious injuries to his hands and face, Radus said.

He said the man was hospitalized but was expected to survive his injuries, which reportedly include missing fingers.

The Orange County sheriff’s bomb squad was sent to the scene to determine what exploded, Radus said. Investigators later found another Improvised Explosive Device and “rendered it safe,” police said.

The blast happened in a parking lot so there was no damage to buildings or any other injuries, according to Radus, who said police evacuated area businesses as a precaution.

Harbor Boulevard was shut down from Orangethorpe to Southgate avenues, but was later reopened.