'Weapon Of Mass Destruction' Found At Bucks Co. Property: DA

A Bucks County man is facing weapons of mass destruction charges after authorities said they found a large bomb at his Milford Township property Thursday. The bomb, which was "ready to be detonated," has been seized by authorities, said Bucks County Attorney General Matthew Weintraub.

David Surman Jr., 30, was arraigned Thursday in connection with the bomb, which was discovered during an extensive federal and state investigation into a series of explosions across the county since early April.

He is being held at Bucks County prison on $750,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 10, court records show.

In addition to the large bomb, other explosive devices and "many, many" chemicals capable of making bombs were located at Surman's property. Items seized during the raids will be sent to the FBI facility in Quantico, Va. to be analyzed, Weintraub said.

It is not clear what Surman intended to do with the bombs.

Surman is facing four felony counts of possessing/manufacturing weapons of mass destruction, as well as four counts of possession of an instrument of crime and four counts of prohibited offensive weapon, among other charges.

The following image of the bomb seized by authorities was released by the Bucks County District Attorney's office:

In addition to the bombs and chemicals, officials said they located a notebook with odd sketches depicting everything from swastikas to gravestones and cartoon images of bombs going off.

You can see images of the sketches in his notebook here.

While authorities say they do believe the explosive devices located Thursday are connected to the series of previously unexplained explosions that have mystified the Bucks County community, Weintraub is asking residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police by calling 911.

The break in the case that for weeks has been under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police, the FBI, and ATF came Thursday morning, as a massive police presence descended upon two areas in Upper Bucks County.

WFMZ first reported Old Bethlehem Pike between Brick Tavern and Koons roads in Milford Township was closed due to the police activity. Additionally, authorities were in the area of Spinnerstown and Sleepy Hollow roads.

The outlet noted law enforcement with the FBI, State Police and local departments were seen at Richland Township Police Department early Thursday before "swarming" a home next to the Brick Tavern Inn.

Neighbors told Action News about 50 officers and law enforcement agents were taking photos and examining material at a location in the area of Spinnerstown and Sleepy Hollow roads.

Action News had a helicopter over the scene during the raids; you can see the footage below.

Weintraub praised the collaboration between local and federal law enforcement, saying he was grateful Surman was captured before any lives were lost.

The more than 20 explosions began in early April. Residents from Quakertown to Point Pleasant and even in New Britain Township have reported hearing the loud blasts numerous times over the past several weeks.

The most recent explosion that has been confirmed by law enforcement happened two weeks ago, when a tractor rolled over an unknown explosive device while mowing grass off Brick Tavern Road — in the vicinity where authorities were Thursday.

That was the only instance when the explosion occurred during the day. Most of them have been reported during overnight hours.

The explosions were described by neighbors as "house-shaking" and some left craters in the ground.

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