A Pennsylvania man has been arrested for setting off a homemade bomb outside the New Jersey home of his former boss months after getting fired from his job, officials said.
Michael Patrick Takacs Jr. was caught on camera as he drove up to the Burlington County residence in a dark-colored Jeep Renegade early the morning of July 26, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey said in a statement on Thursday. He could then be seen carrying a “black object,” which he placed in the vicinity of his ex-supervisor’s silver Ford Explorer before fleeing in his jeep.
The blast occurred just minutes later, around 2:42 a.m. It created a debris field of 100 feet in diameter, spraying nails and bolts, some of which lodged in the SUV and nearby homes.
Authorities managed to track Takacs’ Jeep to a home in Warminster, Penn, officials said.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Takacs bought detonators matching the one used in the case. It also uncovered a screenshot of a map online that showed him where the victim lived.
Investigators further noted that Tackas was fired from his job in May and that the victim had served as his supervisor.
“Disgruntled individuals who seek retaliation in such dangerous ways — ways that could have seriously injured not only the victim, but others in the community, cannot be tolerated,” acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
“We will continue to support and collaborate with our law enforcement partners, who acted swiftly, yet methodically, in this matter,” she continued. “Violent actors will be brought to justice.”
Takacs was charged with transporting an explosive device across state lines with the intent to intimidate or destroy property, unlawfully transporting explosive materials and two counts of unlawful possession of an explosive device. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison for each count.
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