Jeffrey Sever, 45, of McDonald, was arrested after troopers found him alongside a pickup truck on the shoulder near the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 31 in Donegal Township on Saturday, June 27, Pennsylvania State Police explained.

Troopers were on patrol when they spotted the truck and found Sever standing nearby holding an electronic device with an antenna. He allegedly shouted, “There’s a bomb in the truck,” while telling troopers to calm down and back up, according to police.

Sever appeared agitated and told troopers there was also a gun inside the vehicle, troopers said.

As troopers continued speaking with Sever and attempted to take him into custody, he allegedly swung at them and forcefully grabbed for a trooper’s duty weapon, which remained secured in its holster, according to police. 

Troopers found ammunition in Sever’s pocket and saw a handgun on the truck’s center console.

Because Sever claimed there was an explosive device inside the truck, troopers conducted a preliminary search but found no bomb.

A search warrant was later executed on the pickup, where investigators seized a pistol, three cell phones — including one that appeared to be a detonation device — electrical wiring components, cut pieces of PVC pipe, and a rope soaked in what was believed to be a fuel product, according to police.

Investigators determined the truck and firearm belonged to another man, who had not given Sever permission to use the vehicle, police said.

Sever has been charged with possession of a firearm prohibited, serious public inconvenience, disarming a law enforcement officer, possession of an instrument of crime, terroristic threats, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and resisting arrest, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Court documents and a mugshot were not available. Check back for possible updates. 


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