Car Linked To NYC Terror Plot Recovered In Wrightstown: Police

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A car believed to be connected with the weekend IED attack in New York City was impounded early Monday morning after it was found in the parking lot at the Anchor Shopping Center in Wrightstown, police said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Newtown Township Police Department responded to the shopping center at Route 413 and Second Street Pike late Sunday night and early Monday morning to investigate, police said.

“A vehicle (owned by terror suspect Ibrahim Kayumi) was found at the Anchor Shopping Center,” reported Newtown Township Police Chief John Hearn. “K9 was called to check on the car. There was a positive hit (for potential explosives or bomb-making material inside the vehicle). We secured the entire parking lot overnight.”

As part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Hearn said the Philadelphia Bomb Squad was requested and the Lingohocken Fire Company and Central Bucks Ambulance were put on standby.

“They didn’t find an immediate hazard. The vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded for further investigation, and the parking lot was reopened," said the chief.

Kayumi, 19, of Newtown Township, and Emir Balat, 18, of Middletown Township, were arrested on Saturday in New York City in connection with an IED thrown at a group of anti-Muslim protesters near Gracie Mansion, the home of the mayor of New York City.

The Newtown Township man was later identified as a 2024 graduate of Council Rock High School. The Middletown Township teen was confirmed as a student in the Neshaminy School District.

Following the arrests, the FBI carried out weekend search warrants at two homes in Newtown and neighboring Middletown townships. The FBI also raided a storage facility in Middletown Township on Monday night, where several controlled explosions were reported.

On Saturday evening, the Newtown Township Police received a report of a missing person who resided within the township. That individual was listed as Kayumi, who was last seen earlier in the morning by a family member. After speaking with family, police said they left the residence and began investigating Kayumi’s whereabouts, including his unaccounted-for 2010 Honda.

"During our initial police investigation, Newtown Township Police was contacted by an FBI agent who provided some details about the active New York City bombing investigation, which had taken place earlier in the day; specifically confirming the custody of Ibrahim Kayumi and verifying his home address," police said.

On Sunday, March 8, Newtown Township Police continued to communicate and coordinate with FBI personnel and assisted them regarding the property located on Clymer Street near Stoopville Road, while Middletown Police simultaneously assisted other FBI agents regarding a property located in Middletown Township, which was home to the second suspect also in custody.

A search warrant obtained through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Clymer Street address was served later Sunday evening. During the search, police said there were no arrests made but evidence was collected by the FBI.

According to Hearn, township officers spent more than 17 hours working with the FBI on the initial search warrant on Sunday. The department spent another eight hours investigating and impounding the vehicle in Wrightstown, according to Hearn.

“Our department will continue working with the FBI to keep the community safe,” said Hearn. “And as always, we ask the public to report anything that seems suspicious to police.”

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