A man who was arrested after officers discovered drugs and a homemade bomb in his bag late Tuesday night said he needed the explosive to defend himself against members of the MS-13 gang.
Police were called to the 5100 block of Highway 153 in Chattanooga and found Joshua Redden, 34, passed out on the sidewalk in front of Tennessee Title Pawn. An officer noticed he had a large knife in a belt holster and removed it without waking Redden.
Once other officers arrived, they woke Redden and got him to his feet before he told them he had a needle and another knife in his pocket.
Redden was placed in custody for public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers searched him and found baggies with a white powder residue, digital scales, and spoons, commonly associated with heroin use.
A black backpack was found next to a motorcycle Redden claimed was his. The backpack’s two outer compartments held tools and wires and the inner compartment held a camouflage jacket wrapped around something heavy.