Police: Traps rigged to shotgun shells in North Philadelphia warehouse

Authorities delivering eviction orders at a North Philadelphia property ended up calling out the bomb squad.

It turns out that an abandoned warehouse on the 1800 block of West Sedgley had its own homemade security system - complete with booby traps.

On Monday the building's new owner was walking the grounds when he hit a trip wire that triggered a concealed booby trap using a shotgun shell packed with plastic beads.

The victim avoided most of the blast. Only one small pellet struck him, and authorities say he is fine and talking to detectives.

Following the incident, the bomb squad was called. Earlier they had been called out to the same location to deal with the makings for four booby traps - two of them actually rigged.

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan says, "They were rendered safe. They were two shotgun shell tension-rigged tripwire booby traps. They were disarmed. They would not have functioned as designed but the intent was still there."

Today began when sheriff's deputies moved to evict a couple identified as Roland and Charlene McVicker. There was resistance, so police were called.

Animal control agents were also called in to pick up the couple's many dogs.

Police say at some point Roland McVicker advised them of the booby traps he allegedly used to ward off thieves.

Sullivan says, "We have not reason to believe they were placed for law enforcement or to ward off the eviction. They were placed there, according to this gentleman, because of previous thefts."

As expected, there will be charges filed in this case.

In the meantime, police are holding the scene, which is measured in acres. The bomb squad is scheduled to come back on Tuesday to search for any additional devices.