MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Three devices linked to the New York City terror plot involving two Bucks County teenagers were detonated by the FBI in a controlled explosion on Monday night, a report said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation descended on a public storage facility on South Flowers Mill Road in Langhorne on Monday night in a raid to gather evidence linked to 18-year-old Emir Balat of Middletown Township and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi of Newtown Township, authorities said.
The two were charged in a federal criminal complaint on Monday for their involvement in an “ISIS-inspired” terrorism plot against protesters outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday.
Action News 6 said it was on the scene when investigators set off the three controlled detonations at the storage facility.
Federal investigators haven’t revealed yet what they found at the storage facility on South Flowers Mill Road in Middletown Township, or what they blew up and why, Action News 6 reported.
The Middletown Township Police Department said the “loud bangs” residents may have heard during the overnight hours were part of the ongoing federal investigation.
Police said the FBI safely disposed of explosive materials that were recovered during the execution of search warrants.
“These controlled detonations were conducted by trained personnel and were carried out in a controlled manner,” police said. “While the noise may have been startling to some residents, there was no danger to the public at any time. The operation at the storage facility has now concluded, and the location has returned to normal operations. We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding while federal authorities conducted this investigation.”
The two suspects wanted to carry out an attack “bigger than the Boston Marathon attack,” Balet told authorities, the criminal complaint states, when asked if he was familiar with that terrorism plot. “No, even bigger. That was only three deaths.”
The FBI executed a search warrant at the facility, collecting evidence. Monday’s operation involved tactical teams, evidence response personnel, and support from local police and emergency services, the FBI New York reported.
Federal investigators allege the two teenagers attempted to detonate IEDs in the area of East End Avenue and East 88th Street in Manhattan around 2:15 p.m. Saturday, the complaint reads.Federal investigators allege the two teenagers attempted to detonate IEDs in the area of East End Avenue and East 88th Street in Manhattan around 2:15 p.m. Saturday, the complaint reads.
The two suspects were charged on Monday with five federal counts, including providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist group, use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, Interstate transportation, and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
They remain in custody without bail.