Federal investigators are searching for a New Jersey teen who police say was in possession of bomb-making materials while trying to help his friends with a school science project.
On Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, police responded to Cove Road and East Oak Drive in Moorestown, New Jersey, after a teen girl informed her uncle – who is a police officer – about possible explosive devices in the area.
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WATCH HEREResponding police officers found materials for an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Cove Road. The NJ State Police Bomb Unit, NJ State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit and Burlington County Hazardous Waste Department removed the material. Due to its volatility, the material was detonated at a nearby Public Works yard. No one was hurt during the incident.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for a home on the 400 block of East Oak Avenue. Bomb Technicians then found more IED materials inside a homemade lab. The materials were detonated at the scene due to their volatility, officials said. Nearby residents were evacuated until the area was deemed safe by the Bomb Unit.
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SIGN UP One neighbor who lives just across the street said she was woken up by the police lights early Sunday morning and saw a lot of police and fire trucks as well as tactical vans. She described the neighborhood as a "sleepy little town."
"Nothing like this happens in this town," Lisa Lee said. "There's a loud boom and smoke. That's not something you see every day."
Lee told NBC10 she heard the explosion.
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“I heard it. I saw the smoke in the driveway,” she said. “It was really quite alarming at that part and they weren’t sharing information. So, no one really knew what was going on.”
Moorestown High School and Upper Elementary School were also searched during the investigation though no suspicious devices were found.
Investigators later identified the suspect as a teenager who just turned 18 on June 8. According to officials, the teen – who was a senior at Moorestown High School – brought the materials to the area because he was trying to help his friends with a science project. They said the teen wasn’t targeting anyone and there was no threat to the public.
Despite this, officials said they’re still recommending charges of causing or risking widespread injury or damage, prohibited weapons and devices/possession of destructive devices against the teen.
Officials also said the teen is not in custody and federal investigators are currently trying to track him down. They have not yet released his identity but said the teen’s parents are cooperating with the investigation.
They also have not yet revealed if the teen will be charged as a juvenile or as an adult.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
