Miata used as a molotov cocktail

Union City

ILLEGAL WEAPON, CAR BLAST: Police had a busy night Friday in the Decoto district.

At about 10 p.m. two people fled when officers tried to talk to them.

In the resulting pursuit, one dropped a backpack in which police found a loaded sawed-off shotgun.

Police arrested the 17-year-old who dropped the backpack. The other person got away.

A few blocks away a Mazda Miata was blown up just after 11 p.m. at the 33300 University Drive.

Police said rags were stuffed into the gas tank of the car and lit. They believe that it was a random attack as the victim was visiting relatives.

Three people were seen in the vicinity before the explosion.

Police said that there has been a spike in gang activity in the area.

— From staff reports