Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

Man charged in explosive device detonated at gym entrance

Authorities say a New Jersey man is facing federal charges in connection with a homemade explosive device detonated at the entrance of a local gym last month.

A piece of police tape remains on the ground near the 200 block of Chelten Avenue in the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa. on Monday, April 13, 2020. About 9:15 a.m. Monday, a 22-year-old man was shot in the back of the head while driving on the 200 block of Chelten Avenue in Olney, police said. A boy about 2 or 3 three years old was injured in the same incident when he was shot twice in the left arm, police said. He also was taken to Einstein, where he was in stable condition.
A piece of police tape remains on the ground near the 200 block of Chelten Avenue in the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa. on Monday, April 13, 2020. About 9:15 a.m. Monday, a 22-year-old man was shot in the back of the head while driving on the 200 block of Chelten Avenue in Olney, police said. A boy about 2 or 3 three years old was injured in the same incident when he was shot twice in the left arm, police said. He also was taken to Einstein, where he was in stable condition.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
    by Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

GLOUCESTER CITY, N.J. — Authorities say a New Jersey man is facing federal charges in connection with a homemade explosive device detonated at the entrance of a local gym last month.

Gloucester City police said officer were called shortly before 4 a.m. on Aug. 26 to Bellum Strength and Conditioning and found the entrance damaged by the blast.

Police said, after an investigation aided by Camden County prosecutors and the FBI, 35-year-old Dwayne Vandergrift Jr was arrested two days later. Police said residences on his block were evacuated for a time until the home was deemed safe.

The U.S. attorney's office said Friday that Vandergrift was charged with malicious use of explosives, unlawful possession of two destructive devices, and a firearms charge.

Authorities said security camera footage showed the defendant fleeing the area moments before the device exploded, badly damaging the front door and shattering glass at the gym.

Investigators allege that “substantial quantities" of bomb-making materials were found in the defendant's home and a search of his computer revealed research on how to build and use explosive devices such as pipe and pressure cooker bombs.

Vandergrift remained in custody in the county jail; it’s unclear whether he has an attorney and a listed number in his name was out of service Sunday.