Arizona teen arrested after maid found explosive devices

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Joshua Prater, 18, was arrested on suspicion of improvising an explosive device after a maid found what appeared to be a bomb while cleaning his Arizona home.

The high school senior was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct involving weapons and possessing a prohibited weapon and IED, said Sgt. Mike Pooley of the Tempe Police Department.

The woman who was cleaning his house found what she thought looked like a bomb, and took it to a Tempe Fire Station to have it examined. Firefighters called police to the scene where they determined the device was a legitimate explosive, though it was disabled.

The woman told police she had seen more materials in Prater's room at the residence. She had taken photos, some of which showed items that could be used for making IEDs, Pooley said.

By Tuesday evening investigators were searching Prater's house where he lived with his mother and father. Police interviewed Prater's parents and determined they were not involved.

Authorities haven’t found any threats to Marcos de Niza High School but have notified the school as a precaution. Police also plan to check the school for any threats, Pooley said.