CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN
A Fort Worth man was arrested and charged with reckless driving and possessing a prohibited weapon following a traffic stop in Lakeside July 15. The prohibited weapons charge is a third-degree felony, while the reckless driving charge is a Class B misdemeanor.
Alden Collins, 24, of Fort Worth, was taken into custody after what officials called a dangerous series of events that began with a traffic violation and ended with a bomb squad investigation.
According to a news release, Lakeside police observed a white sedan traveling westbound on the Jacksboro Highway service road with no headlights around 9:30 p.m. The vehicle was clocked at speeds between 90-100 mph.
The vehicle — still with no lights — began traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes. When officers attempted to pull the vehicle over using lights and sirens, the driver swerved across the roadway before veering onto the shoulder, where it struck a “Do Not Enter” sign.
During their investigation, officers discovered several suspicious pyrotechnic devices. The items were heavily modified, wrapped in black electrical tape, and featured exposed fuses and pull rings.
Due to the volatile nature of the materials, the Fort Worth Police Department Bomb Squad was requested. Using portable X-ray equipment, technicians determined that one of the devices was designed as a projectile weapon containing an explosive charge. Under Texas Penal Code 46.05, the item was classified as a prohibited weapon.
The driver admitted to constructing the devices using components from an air soft gun and told police the device contained BB projectiles and fireworks.
