A DAVOREN Park man arrested on explosives charges will remain in custody while police search through two terabytes of his personal data.
Aaron Ellis, 43, was arrested and charged with possession and manufacture of explosives last Monday night after police allegedly found a small amount of a dangerous chemical stored in the back shed of his Heytesbury Road home.
The substance Tri-Acetone Tri Peroxide – also known as ‘Mother of Satan’ – is known to be highly volatile if not handled correctly by experts.
The discovery of the chemicals led to police and fire crews attending the home throughout the next day, with the nature of the chemicals forcing the police bomb response unit to detonate the substance at the home.
During the controlled detonations of the chemical, nearby residents were urged to avoid windows and and a ‘no-fly zone’ was established above the home.
Ellis faced the Elizabeth Magistrates Court last Tuesday, where his bail hearing was adjourned.
He returned to court on Monday for a bail hearing, which Magistrate Gary Gumpl adjourned while police search through two terabytes of personal electronic data they said could lead to more arrests.
At the time of Ellis’ arrest, SAPOL acting chief commissioner Craig Patterson said there was “no evidence to suggest that this is a terrorist-related incident”, despite Ellis previously posting on social media he “hated Muslims”.
“There are no indicators of any violence, or threats of violence, to any member of the community,” he said.
“I can reassure the public that at this point in time we have no information that this person was making a threat or was intending to use violence against anyone.”
Ellis was known to police before his arrest on Monday, in relation to his anti-Islamic comments on social media, but police took no action in searching his home due to “insufficient evidence”.
He will reappear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on May 16 to learn if he will be granted bail.