Muskogee police arrested one local teen early Monday and are looking for others allegedly involved in two overnight incidents involving explosive or incendiary devices.

Ryan Yates, 19, was arrested at about 3 a.m. Monday on two complaints of fourth-degree arson. Later in the day, police were reviewing videotapes recorded by surveillance cameras in an attempt to identify other suspects.

Sgt. Bryan Farmer said it appears Yates and his alleged accomplices assembled fireworks to fashion devices used to damage a portable toilet located near Tony Goetz Elementary School, 2412 Haskell Blvd., and damage a collection box at Hastings Books, Music and Videos, 2230 E. Shawnee Bypass.

“It looks like one device was used to burn the movie drop box at Hastings, and from what I’ve heard, the porta-potty was destroyed,” Farmer said. “There are several people involved — kids being stupid.”

Farmer described the devices used in the Monday morning incidents as “sparkler bombs.” Sources say, but Farmer would not confirm, Yates is suspected of being involved with two similar incidents reported late Sunday and early Monday.

Police reports show another portable toilet was damaged by a homemade bomb at 2412 Haskell Blvd. The incident, which occurred at a Girdner Construction site., was reported late Sunday. Also reported was the destruction of a mailbox at 115 Gawf Lane.

Public Information Officer Brad Holt said the case has been turned over to the district attorney’s office for review. Additional arrests, Holt said, could come as early as today.

Yates, meanwhile, appeared Monday before a local magistrate, who set two appearance bonds at $2,500 each. Yates remained in Muskogee County/City Detention Facility late Monday afternoon in lieu of posting those bonds.

Reach D.E. Smoot at 918-684-2903 or Click Here to Send Email