September 2, 2019 – In Breaking News – USA TODAY, Bridgewater Courier News
A man has been arrested and charged with possessing explosive devices, an incident that resulted in the cancellation of the annual South Plainfield Labor Day Parade.
Thomas G. Kaiser, 55, was arrested and charged with second-degree possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose and one count of third-degree possession of a destructive device, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a news release around noon Monday, two hours after the parade was scheduled to commence.
(A South Plainfield, New Jersey, man was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose after authorities canceled Monday’s Labor Day parade and other related activities there. Courtesy of CBS News and YouTube. Posted on Sep 2, 2019.)
Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy were scheduled to attend the parade, according to the governor’s public schedule.
It is anticipated that additional charges will be forthcoming, the county prosecutor’s office said.
The South Plainfield Police Department canceled “out of an abundance of caution and due to the potential threat to the community,” according to the release.
NJOHSP is continuing to monitor the situation involving suspicious devices in Sea Bright/South Plainfield alongside local, county, State & federal partners. There is no credible threat to the public & NJ. Please continue to enjoy Labor Day weekend. @GovMurphy @NJSP @NewJerseyOAG
— NJ Homeland Security (@NJOHSP) September 2, 2019
The investigation began Monday in Monmouth County when a suspicious package with a destructive device was left at Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright, the release said.
An investigation by the Sea Bright Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office led to Kaiser’s home.
During the investigation, it was learned there were other destructive devices near Kaiser’s home, which is near the Police Athletic League building – the start of the parade route.
(Learn More. A South Plainfield man was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose after authorities canceled Monday’s Labor Day Parade and other related activities there. Courtesy of CBS New York and YouTube. Posted on Sep 2, 2019.)
The announcement to cancel the event was posted on the city’s website hours before the parade was scheduled to be held and was attributed to “security concerns.” The fireworks were also canceled.
Continue reading… Labor Day parade canceled after explosive devices found; New Jersey governor was to attend
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