50 pounds of dynamite found in suburban home

Authorities in Evergreen Park found 50 pounds of dynamite in the basement of an elderly man's home.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported the 24 sticks of dynamite weighing 50 pounds were found Wednesday. The authorities say the dynamite was in the home for 60 years.

Evergreen Park police Lt. Pete Donovan says a caretaker found the dynamite while helping the 93-year-old homeowner clean out his water-damaged basement.

The owner asked the caretaker to throw out the explosives. However, the caretaker called police, who summoned the Cook County sheriff's bomb squad and locked down a four-block area.

Donovan said the dynamite was taken to a quarry for detonation. He added the man told police the dynamite was dropped off by a friend who was moving to California.