By Three Cal State Long Beach students were each charged with a felony for possession of two dry-ice explosive devices in Parking Structure 2 Saturday night.
The students were identified as Nicole Blalock, 22, Jason Bruton, 22, and Scot Breithaupt, 21, according to University Police.
Blalock and Bruton are runners of the Long Beach State cross country team. Breithaupt was a middle distance runner in 2005 for track and field.
The students were arrested and booked at Long Beach Police Department Jail. They were released yesterday.
A University Police officer patrolling the area reported hearing a loud explosion coming from the parking structure around 9:10 p.m. Upon her arrival, she saw three suspects running from the area and a short pursuit began.
University Police said witnesses reported they saw the three suspects running toward the Physical Education Building.
According to University Police, two detectives and another officer were called to set up a perimeter around the building where all three suspects were later found in the men’s locker room. They were arrested and taken into custody after the witnesses were called and able to identify the three suspects.
At the time of the arrests, another officer found another dry-ice explosive device in the structure inside a sealed container. Because the dry-ice explosive was still intact, the Los Angeles Sheriff Bomb Squad Unit was called to the scene and had to take precautionary measures to collect and handle the explosive device.
The district attorney will decide whether or not to file charges.
No injuries or damages to state property were reported.
The two runners are still currently on the team, and the athletic department is currently investigating the matter, according to Cross Country Sports Information Director Niall Adler.
“At this time, I do not have all the details of the alleged incident involving two of our track student-athletes. Until all of the information is gathered, I will not comment on any university or department sanctions,” according to a statement released by Athletic Director Vic Cegles.
