August 5, 2023 - Tehachapi Police Department officials report that on August 3, 2023, officers with the Tehachapi Police Department were made aware of a subject, later identified as 55-year-old Tehachapi resident Robert Kovach who was making threats to bomb the Tehachapi Police station.

Investigators worked diligently to obtain an arrest warrant and a search warrant for Mr. Kovach’s residence. Officers were able to take Mr. Kovach into custody during a traffic stop, which a subsequent search of his vehicle revealed it contained approximately 1 pound of an explosive material, commonly referred to as “poor mans c4.”

Investigators with the Tehachapi Police Department and Kern County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad conducted a search of Mr. Kovach’s residence in the 21000 block of Blue Oaks Avenue in Golden Hills. Some of the items located were homemade ignition fuses, approximately 7 grams of methamphetamine, firearms, and drug paraphernalia.

Mr. Kovach was subsequently booked into the Kern County Jail on a “no bail” arrest warrant for making terrorist threats. Additional charges of being under the influence while armed, possession of narcotics while armed, possession of a destructive device and manufacturing a destructive device will also be sought.

If you have any additional information, please contact the Tehachapi Police Department at 661-822-2222

Contact: Key Budge, Phone: 822-2200 x 119 kbudge@tehachapicityhall.com.

Source & photo: Tehachapi Police Department