Man arrested in series of small explosions in Northampton County

WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities investigating a series of small explosions that rattled a Lehigh Valley community have arrested a man on gun charges.

Scott Miller, the police chief in Washington Township, Northampton County says the FBI and township police took 44-year-old Jason Muzzicato into custody Friday morning. He says the business owner faces federal charges.

Authorities have not yet charged Muzzicato with causing the explosions themselves.

However, they searched Muzzicato's home and his business, Bangor Motor Works, and say they found evidence at both locations tying him to the explosions. They did not provide specifics. Miller says the motive is unclear.

According to a federal criminal complaint, during the raid of Muzzicato's home, authorities seized nine weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and explosive devices.

Muzzicato was charged with a weapons violation because he was not permitted to possess firearms due to a protection order filed against him by a former girlfriend in 2017.

A woman who answered the door at Muzzicato's home Friday declined to comment to The (Allentown) Morning Call.

Police have been probing several explosions and the discovery of several other unexploded devices in the township since late March.

No injuries have been reported.

Messages left with the FBI were not returned.