28 pounds of explosives found in car

The Lake Villa Police Department fielded dozens of calls Monday from curious residents who heard what they believed to be an explosion early in the morning.

Their suspicions were correct.

Lake Villa Deputy Chief Roger Schroeder confirmed three separate denotations of homemade explosives took place between midnight and 12:45 a.m. Monday in a field near the Lehmann Mansion.

Schroeder said 28 pounds of explosives were found after a routine traffic stop at Monaville Road and Old Monaville Road about 9 p.m. Sunday.

Adrian T. Phillips, 31, of 25128 N. Ellrie Court, Lake Zurich, was pulled over for a defective break light, police said.

After discovering Phillips' driver's license was revoked, police took him into custody and searched his car. The explosives were reportedly found in the trunk, police said.

"The Waukegan Bomb Squad and ATF was called, and because explosives of that kind are so unstable, we decided the best course of action was to detonate the devices in an empty field," Schroeder said. "We believe (Phillips) was just storing up for the Fourth of July."

Phillips was charged with unlawful use of a weapon for the explosives and driving with his license revoked. Federal charges also could be added, Schroeder said.

Phillips' bond was set at $20,000, which he posted Monday. He will be back in court at 9 a.m. June 19.