(KRON) — A man was arrested on Jan. 4 for burglarizing homes destroyed in an explosion in Hayward on Dec. 11, the Alameda Sheriff’s Office told KRON4 News Thursday.
Police were called to 877 and 867 Lewelling Boulevard around 9:50 a.m. for a report of a person trespassing in the area. Deputies arrived and allegedly found 41-year-old Michael Yonning burglarizing the damaged properties.
“During the investigation, deputies determined that Yonning had burglarized a nearby red-tagged residence and stolen property from the home,” the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office said.
6 injured as house on Lewelling Boulevard in Hayward leveled by explosion, fire
Yonning was arrested for burglary and other criminal charges.
Multiple homes on the block were damaged in the explosion on Dec. 11. Footage of the powerful blast (seen in the video at the top of this story) shows debris launch high into the air as one of the homes erupted that morning. The explosion and ensuing fire injured six people who suffered various burns, broken bones and respiratory issues.
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The disaster was caused by an underground gas explosion, officials confirmed. According to PG&E, a third-party, non-PG&E crew damaged an underground gas line while digging in the area prior to the explosion…