PRINCETON, Mass. — A Massachusetts man is facing criminal charges after officers discovered nine explosive devices during a traffic stop on Thursday morning, authorities said.
Police launched an investigation into 27-year-old Jason E. Baldarelli, Jr., on Monday after reports of early morning explosions on Wheeler Road in the town of Princeton, according to the Princeton Police Department.
Working with the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, Princeton police obtained a search warrant and coordinated with multiple agencies, including the Massachusetts Fire Marshal’s Office, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, and Sterling Police Department.
An officer then conducted a planned traffic stop around 7 a.m. Thursday on Hubbardston Road in Princeton, uncovering explosives in Baldarelli’s truck, according to police.
Baldarelli, a resident of Princeton, was arrested on a charge of unlawful possession of explosive devices. He is slated to be arraigned on that charge in Leominster District Court.
Baldarelli Jr. entered into a not guilty plea on Thursday.
Neighbors in the Wheeler Road area said the explosions have come from his property ever since he moved in around September.
Those neighbors did not want to show their faces while answering questions.
“My whole house shakes,” said one neighbor. “It’s not just like a little rumble, like my house literally shakes.”
She claimed Baldarelli Jr. started yelling at neighbors Monday morning after the explosions went off.
“Screaming at the neighbors, ‘Come face me,’” she added. “He had some quotes from some movies -- ‘Are you not entertained?’ and ‘I’m waiting,’ from The Shining.”
She finished, “We were told it could be potentially quarter sticks of dynamite, something like that. Not fireworks.”
Another neighbor added, “This is not normal for this neighborhood at all!”
Both told Boston 25 Thursday that they’re fearful around the property.
There was no immediate word on Baldarelli’s motive. Additional details could be released when he faces a judge.
The recovered devices will be rendered safe during a controlled detonation by the State Police Bomb Squad in Princeton. Authorities also planned to search Baldarelli‘s Wheeler Road home.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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