Middlesex Man Had Bombmaking Materials In Home, Prosecutor Says

MIDDLESEX, NJ — A Middlesex borough man was arrested Sunday and charged with arson, intentionally detonating explosive devices and possession of two pipe bombs, according to the Middlesex County prosecutor.

The incident happened on Saturday, Feb. 9 when Middlesex police responded to an emergency aid call at West 2nd Street, and located two pipe bombs inside the home. An evacuation was ordered, and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and the New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit were called to the scene.

It was determined that the devices were not a hazard.

The homeowner, Joseph M. Colucci, 59, was arrested and charged Sunday with one count of arson in the third degree, one count of possession of prohibited weapons and devices, specifically destructive devices in the third degree, and one count of causing or risking widespread injury or damage in the fourth degree.

A preliminary investigation determined that Colucci was in possession of two pipe bombs and homemade bomb-making materials, including gun powder, the county prosecutor said.

It was also determined that between October 18, 2017, and November 8, 2017, Colucci detonated a pipe bomb in the immediate area near the Warrenville Road bridge in the borough.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel McCue of the Middlesex Borough Police Department at (732) 356-1900 ext. 312, or Detective Nicholas Chiorello of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3176.

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