Ceres homes evacuated after explosive device discovered. Bomb squad secures it

Ceres police evacuated residences in the Blaker Road area and closed surrounding roadways Tuesday after a suspected explosive device was discovered in a home.

Janmichael Valdez, 45, of Ceres was arrested at the scene on a potential charge of possessing an explosive device. He was booked into Stanislaus County jail without incident.

At about 2:15 p.m., county probation officers were conducting a compliance check at a home in 3900 block of Blaker, just north of Service Road, when they found the explosive device. Ceres police responded to assist with evacuation of nearby residences and road closures for the public’s safety.

The Sheriff’s Office bomb squad arrived and assessed the device, confirming it was a dangerous explosive. According to a Ceres Police Department news release, the bomb was safely secured and removed from the home.

The Sheriff’s Office team took the device to a secure location, where “it was later rendered safe,” the news release said.

Valdez faces charges of possession of an explosive device, along with parole violations. He remained in jail Wednesday with bail set at $350,000.