A Bend resident was cited after attempting to sell illegal fireworks to an undercover police officer. Bend Police received a tip that illegal fireworks were posted for sale on Craigslist in Bend. A Bend Police Officer responded to the ad, posing as a potential buyer, and agreed to meet the seller to buy 5 boxes of “mortars” for $2500.
The officer met Ryeann Martin, 28, in the parking lot of a gas station, where Martin admitted to being the person attempting to sell the illegal fireworks. The officer recovered two boxes of illegal fireworks, each containing 24 canister or artillery shells. Martin admitted to purchasing the fireworks in Washington and bringing them back to Oregon. Martin also admitted to planning on scam the officer by dumping the contents of the two boxes into a large bag and presenting them as “5 boxes.” The officer seized the illegal fireworks and cited Martin.
