Woman accused of trying to ignite explosive device during traffic stop

Charlaya Moore, 23, facing several charges, including assault on police

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Mandarin woman was arrested on several felony charges after trying to ignite an explosive device during a traffic stop late Tuesday night, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. 

Charlaya Moore, 24, is charged with possession of a destructive device, aggravated assault on police and resisting police with violence.

According to the Sheriff's Office, police tried to pull her over in the city's Grove Park area after they became suspicious because she was seen twice driving and prowling around the neighborhood.

She drove off once, a police report said, but less than 30 minutes later, another officer spotted Moore's car and forced her to stop about 11:15 p.m. on Antiqua Road. Police said the officer asked her to exit her car, but she refused.

Police said she then reached for something under her seat, and an officer told her multiple times to stop, but she refused.

Moore then pulled out an explosive device and tried to ignite it, but another officer was able to get it away from her, police said. 

She told police she was in the neighborhood because she was going to her boss' house. News4Jax was unable to reach her boss on Thursday.

When officers searched her car, police said, they found multiple explosives, wigs and glasses. 

It's unknown what type of explosive devices police found in the car. According to the police report, when the bomb squad collected them, they were placed in a hazardous material bin and then in the property room, which implies they may not be that dangerous.

On Thursday, police told News4Jax that they are still investigating and testing the devices, saying even fireworks can be dangerous. 

A check of  Moore’s background shows she's had numerous run-ins with police and previous arrests on drug and trespassing charges.

According to a police report, in 2015, Moore was evicted from an apartment complex on Sunbeam Road. During that eviction, the police report said, she spit in the face of an officer and bit him on his right forearm.

Moore is currently being held in the Duval County jail on $615,500 bond, jail records show.


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