AMBRIDGE, Pa. — A man is charged with numerous counts after police said he threw a bundle of commercial fireworks from his vehicle, forcing the evacuation of a Beaver County neighborhood.
The Allegheny County Bomb Squad was called to Ambridge after witnesses reported seeing someone throw what appeared to be a homemade explosive from a vehicle.
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Allen Lee Urban Jr., 51, of Ambridge, is charged with making terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, propulsion of missiles onto a roadway, aggravated assault, arson, possessing an explosive/incendiary device and risking a catastrophe.
People who live on the street told investigators they saw the man throw the device from his vehicle and they were able to give police a partial license plate number.
Police went to Urban’s home and confiscated numerous firearms and fireworks. They took him into custody, but said he was not cooperating as of Friday night.
PHOTOS: Firearms, commercial fireworks confiscated from Ambridge suspect's home
"If this would have went off, this could have been a horrific situation. Five commercial fireworks taped together ... like an IED," said Ambridge police Chief Jim Mann.
Residents said the situation was no laughing matter.
"I thought there could be some crazy (person) that wants to harm somebody, because that's the sort of terrorism at the top of the menu now," neighbor Ed Bartosh said. "I'm glad nothing serious happened. I mean, it could have hurt a lot of people."
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are joining the investigation.
Chief says suspect used 5 consumer grade smoke bombs. 2 little ones, 3 big ones.They were taped together and looked like an explosive @WPXI pic.twitter.com/Hx1X4LuDCR
— Mike Holden (@WPXIMikeHolden) May 20, 2017
Cox Media Group
