Princeton, Massachusetts man accused of having more than 30 explosive devices in home and truck
A man in Princeton, Massachusetts is facing serious charges after police say they found more than 30 explosive devices in his home and truck.
Jason Baldarelli Jr., 27, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Leominster District Court Thursday on a charge of unlawful possession of explosive devices. He was ordered held on $7,500 cash bail.
Princeton police said they were first alerted to Baldarelli on Monday, when they looked into a report of explosions around 4 a.m. on Wheeler Road, where Baldarelli lives.
Investigators got a search warrant and then worked with several other agencies, including the Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force and the State Police Bomb Squad, to set up a traffic stop Thursday morning.
A Princeton police officer pulled Baldarelli over at 7 a.m. on Hubbardston Road.
"During the stop, officers located nine explosive devices inside the vehicle," Princeton Police Chief Paul Patriarca said in a statement.
At his arraignment, the prosecutor described them as "homemade improvised explosive devices."
After Baldarelli was arrested, police seized his truck and started searching his home.
"While his arraignment was taking place, we served that search warrant at his address [on Wheeler Road] and 23 more explosive devices were recovered," said Chief Patriarca. "I would describe them as like half sticks of dynamite, they look like you know large firecrackers."
The explosive devices were safely detonated by police.
Police thanked neighbors for their vigilance and cooperation, from the initial 911 calls throughout the careful, multi-agency investigation this week.
"Any of these devices we know are extremely dangerous, that's why fireworks in Massachusetts are illegal. We don't want that in our community," Chief Patriarca said. "Not only is it very dangerous, it causes a lot of fear."
Baldarelli is due back in court December 17.
Princeton, Massachusetts is in Worcester County, about 64 miles west of Boston.