UPDATE: Please note there are a few discrepancies in the report: The suspect in this case is 21-year-old Sebastian Tinsley. The report also listed two different dates for the incident. Tinsley was arrested on Monday, April 14.”

DeLand, FL – On Friday, April 11, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., officers from the DeLand Police Department responded to a residence on Marlboro Drive in reference to a call for assistance. Upon arrival, an officer made contact with a male individual outside his residence. The male gave the officer consent to enter his residence to retrieve some documents.

While inside the residence, the DeLand officer observed several suspicious items, including two colored glass bottles filled with liquid and containing white cloth-like material protruding from their openings. Based on training and experience, the officer believed these items to be consistent with Molotov cocktails—homemade incendiary devices that could pose a significant safety risk.

Due to the nature of the items observed, DeLand officers secured the home and obtained a search warrant.  DeLand officers also contacted the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and requested they respond to the scene. Following the issuance of the search warrant, the Volusia Sheriff’s Bomb Squad entered the residence and conducted an investigation. Multiple glass bottles containing a flammable and combustible liquid were recovered. Field testing confirmed that the contents were capable of causing an explosion.

The suspect was placed under arrest by officers from the DeLand Police Department. He was subsequently booked into the Volusia County Jail.

The DeLand Police Department would like to thank the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad for their assistance in ensuring the safety of the community.