Hingham Man Indicted on Bomb Making Charges

Two men from the South Shore accused of possessing explosive devices and the material needed to make them were indicted by a Plymouth County Grand Jury Wednesday.

Joseph Brennan, Jr. 37, of Norwell, was indicted on five counts of possession of an incendiary device and one count of possession of incendiary material. Benjamin Young, 27 of Hingham, was indicted on three counts of possession of an incendiary device and one count of possession of incendiary materials, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office.

On April 11 at around 11:30 p.m., police in Quincy responded to a single car accident on Falls Boulevard. Upon arrival, they located Brennan, who had severe burns to his hands and face. Further investigation by police revealed that there was an explosion prior to the car accident.

A witness to the scene reported that Brennan moved an orange five-gallon bucket from the backseat of the vehicle to the trunk after the accident. Quincy Police contacted the Boston Police Bomb Squad to assist and evidence was removed and secured from the scene.

Brennan was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at South Shore Hospital.

The car accident in Quincy led to police searches in Norwell and Hingham. In Norwell, police searched Brennan’s residence and located bomb-making components, packing materials and several completed explosive devices were secured. Further investigation by police at that address led to information that Young was allegedly involved with Brennan in the making of the devices.

In Hingham, police searched Young’s Backriver Road home. Three compounds used in making highly sensitive homemade explosives were found. Additionally, police discovered three explosive devices at that location.

The pair will be arraigned at a later date. Police believe there were no intended targets and the public was not in any danger.