[June 29, 2011] Local Football Star Accused of Throwing Dry Ice "Bombs" at Vehicles Tweet Jun 28, 2011 (KTLA-TV - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- MISSION VIEJO, Calif. -- Two teenagers -- including a former high school star football player who recently signed with Northern Arizona University -- are accused of throwing dry ice "bombs" at moving vehicles. At least six incidents were reported Thursday night. In one incident, the device landed inside a driver's car and when he picked it up, it exploded in his hand. He was not hurt, but authorities say the loud explosion startled him and left his ears ringing. Dry ice "bombs" are made of plastic bottles, water and dry ice. As the dry ice changes to gas, it increases the pressure inside the bottle, leading to a loud explosion. Victims reported seeing four people inside a dark SUV, throwing the devices from their vehicle. One of the victims took down the license plate of the SUV and called police. Authorities tracked down the driver of the vehicle as 18-year-old Mitchell Melugin, a 2011 graduate of Mission Viejo High School who played defensive end for the Diablos and finished last season with a 13-1 record. He was signed to Northern Arizona University earlier this year, according to the school's athletic department. Melugin was originally arrested and booked on suspicion of possessing an explosive device with the intent to terrify or injure, but on Monday, the charges were downgraded and he was charged with one misdemeanor count of throwing a substance at a vehicle. Melugin's attorney, Ken Julian, says the devices were a bad prank and his client never intended to hurt anyone. He pleaded not guilty in court on Monday. The athletic department's media relations rep at Northern Arizona University says the school is aware of the seriousness of the situation and the football staff has been in contact with the family and will evaluate his association with the program as the case unfolds. Shortly after Melugin was arrested, 19-year-old Robert Jacob Browne turned himself into authorities. Court documents show he will also be charged with a misdemeanor count of throwing a substance at a vehicle. The two other people inside the vehicle have been identified as minors. They were questioned and released to their parents. Charges are expected to be filed against them as well, but there names are not being released. To see more of KTLA-TV, go to http://www.ktla.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, KTLA-TV, Los Angeles Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]