Explosives Seized From ‘Hacker,’ 15

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Police ordered to seize the electronics equipment of a 15-year-old alleged computer “hacker” found the ingredients for explosives, along with equipment he is said to have used to make illegal phone calls.

The youth, whose name was not released because of his age, is already on probation in connection with a burglary and a BB-gun rampage last February that caused more than $20,000 in damage to cars and businesses in the Larkspur and Corte Madera area, officials said Wednesday.

The youth was arrested at his Larkspur home last Thursday on suspicion of placing annoying telephone calls, defrauding a long-distance phone company and possessing stolen property. He was released by Juvenile Court Commissioner Noel D. Martin on Monday pending a hearing, despite concerns by the county Probation Department.

“We think there’s a potential danger to the public,” said Larry Shattuck, director of juvenile probation in Marin County.