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McBomb evacuates McDonalds
Police arrest teen in homemade bottle bomb incident
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Officer John Moody holds one of the unexploded bottles with a bottle of toilet bowl cleaner that was mixed with a metallic substance to create the potentially explosive device detonated in a McDonalds restroom Friday. - photo by GLENN KAHL

A blast in the restroom of the McDonald’s Restaurant at Lathrop and Union roads shortly before 4 p.m. Friday forced the evacuation of patrons and staff members.

McDonald’s employees captured a 15-year-old Manteca student who police said had ignited one of at least two devices he had made from internet directions.

Police Sgt. Chris Mraz said the walls of the bathroom walls had been charred by the blast that came from a mixture of chemicals placed in water bottles and thrown causing an explosive reaction.

The teen was charged with three felonies:  possession of a destructive device, detonating a destructive device and possession of a destructive device with intent to detonate it, officers said.

The youth was taken to the San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall and incarcerated on the charges.  His mother was standing outside McDonald’s as her son was driven away in the police car.  The restaurant was closed for part of the evening to air it out and repair damage.