Delaware restaurant basement hid explosives, weapons

A routine fire inspection turns up hand grenades, 20,000 rounds of ammunition and 36 guns at Madeline’s restaurant in Wilmington.

Fire inspectors reported some suspicious items in the basement at the restaurant at 6th and DuPont Streets during their inspection on Monday.  Members of the Wilmington Police Explosive Ordinance team followed up on the fire department’s findings and found numerous weapons, ammo and improvised explosive devices.  The building was immediately evacuated.

Agents with the ATF and State Police joined Wilmington officers in safely removing the contents of the basement, which included two “fully functional” grenades, enough material to build more grenades, 36 firearms and more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition.

Wilmington Police have charged Stephen Sparco with possession of an incendiary device.  According to the restaurant’s website, Sparco is the grandson of the restaurant’s founder and namesake, Madeline Sparco, who founded the Italian restaurant in 1961.