Federal agents returned to an Irvine residence this week after complaints about a strong chemical odor drew hazardous materials crews to the gated community, where a teenager’s alleged science experiments have prompted renewed scrutiny.
The investigation centered on the home of 18-year-old Amalvin Fritz, where several blue tents and dozens of officials from the FBI, Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency and Irvine Police Department were seen Wednesday.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, authorities were serving a judicial search warrant at the property. Officials have not said what, if anything, was removed from the home.
The law enforcement presence came one day after FBI personnel, hazmat crews and a bomb squad responded to the same address. Neighbors had reported a strange chemical smell and noticed three unusual industrial barrels outside the property.
CJ Ray, an attorney for the Fritz family, said the three barrels were allegedly empty and had previously held chemicals. He also said they were not taken during an earlier investigation in February.
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“The family is beyond frustrated that this is happening again, and that people are scared of what they don’t understand,” the Fritz family’s attorney told NBCLA after the latest response.
“The Orange County Fire Authority and the Irvine Police Department responded to a report of a chemical odor coming from a residence on Crater. The FBI responded and has joined the investigation. There are no evacuations and no known threat to the community,” the Irvine Police Department said in a statement.
Fritz’s home had also been searched by federal agents several months earlier.
Federal authorities swarmed the multi-million dollar home in the neighborhood where properties average over $5 million after reports of suspicious items in late February, according to a report from the Orange County Register.
Chemical mixtures along with formulas written on a whiteboard were discovered inside home, which prompted the FBI to bring in experts to investigate further.
No arrests were made in the February search.
