3 charged with detonating firework mortar in St. Pete Beach

By TBO.com
Published: May 27, 2009

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ST. PETE BEACH --

Three men were booked into the Pinellas County Jail this morning and charged with setting off a firework mortar round Tuesday night within 15 feet of a local fire station, damaging a Progress Energy Corp. concrete light pole and city-owned palm tree.

Charged with making or discharging a destructive device are Charles S. Bally, 27, of 2789 62nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg; and Don Steven Soliday, 61, and Gregory D. Mullins, 47, both of 660 76th Ave. Bail for each was set at $10,000.

According to arrest affidavits, the men set off a firework mortar shortly before 11 p.m. at 7395 Gulf Blvd. A witness spotted them putting down the destructive device and detonating it.