A vandal gave new meaning to the term “soda pop” last Thursday night as he allegedly planted an explosive in the dispensing slot of a Mayfair Coke machine, leading to a blast that shattered the windows of a nearby business.
Philadelphia police recovered surveillance video of the explosion but have yet to post it on their YouTube channel. They are attempting to identify the culprit. The federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives also is involved in the investigation, according to news reports.
The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on the 4200 block of Magee Ave. and involved a Coke machine positioned outside of Drain Surgeons Plumbing & Heating. The private surveillance video reportedly showed a man exiting a car, placing an object into the slot, and fleeing the area. Minutes later, the object detonated, launching fragments dozens of feet while shattering nearby windows.
“This is not vandalism. This is detonation of a dangerous explosive device,” Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan told NBC10. “We’re concerned that he’s going to go out and do this again. And the next time, somebody’s going to get hurt.”
Police did not speculate on a motive publicly, although the machine appeared operative and may have contained proceeds from soda sales, along with stacks of thirst-quenching soft drinks. ••
