MENDOCINO CO., 5/4/25 – A 49-year-old Ukiah man was arrested on allegations that he set two explosive devices in public, one of which exploded, and had another explosive in his home.
Todd Scott was accused of setting off an explosive wrapped in packing tape that was placed in a shopping cart in the 8600 block of North State Street in Redwood Valley on Thursday, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Sunday.
Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters from the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire District responded to the scene at about noon, after receiving reports of an explosion and small grass fire, which was extinguished by passersby.
Fragments from the explosive were determined to match the type of explosive found in an incident the day before in Talmage, which was being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.
In that incident, a device was placed in a roadside ditch along Talmage Road. The device did not explode and was recovered intact by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.
Scott was identified as a suspect and was pulled over in a traffic stop in Redwood Valley later that day. A search of his residence allegedly revealed another explosive device and several firearms, which he was prohibited from owning because of prior criminal convictions, according to the sheriff’s office.
He is facing allegations of possessing or igniting a destructive device or explosive and arson of forest land.
Scott was booked at Mendocino County Jail and released after posting bail.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4086. Anonymous tips can be left at (707) 234-2100.
I’ve been close friends with Todd Scott for three decades, he is honest, kind, and trustworthy. I consider him “family” he has always been there for me during hard times and I’m proud to call him my friend. He is great with kids, and all elderly people. He helped take care of my grandma and my aunt. They absolutely adore him. He is harmless. It’s sad that his name and reputation is in jeopardy. He doesn’t deserve to be scrutinized and judged by people who have no idea what an amazing man he is. I’m lucky to have a real friend like him and he is not a criminal. He is not a trouble maker. He is a good human being. He is a hardworking citizen. He deserves respect and compassion. The things that aren’t on paper for the world to see is who he truly is and if you knew him you would recognize that he is not someone you need to fear or punish. He is a gentleman. He is warm. He is humble.