France arrests teen attempting to detonate explosive near US bank branch in Paris

French police have arrested a young man who allegedly tried to detonate a homemade explosive device near a Bank of America branch in Paris, Le Parisien reported.

According to the report, the suspect was apprehended while attempting to ignite the device with a lighter.

“The device consisted of a five-litre transparent container with an as-yet unidentified liquid and a charge made from a firecracker containing approximately 650 grams of explosive powder,” the article stated.

The suspect was not alone near the bank; an accomplice managed to flee the scene. The arrested individual said he had been contacted via the Snapchat app by unknown persons who promised him €600 to carry out the task.

The suspect is a minor and a citizen of Senegal. He is reportedly known to police for previous drug-related offences.