Newtown Man Charged In Bomb Threat That Closed 2nd Street Pike

RICHBORO, PA — A Newtown man is facing charges in connection with a bomb threat that evacuated several businesses and closed Second Street Pike on Thursday. Daniel Scott Kessel, 61, is charged with threatening to use weapons of mass destruction and making terroristic threats in connection with the incident.

Northampton Township Police officers responded to a doctor's office on Second Street Pike around 5:30 p.m. for a report of a man inside the office who said he had a bomb inside a box. Patrols closed down Second Street Pike in the area of the doctor's office, and the surrounding the business were evacuated, police said.

According to police, the Philadelphia Police Bomb Squad responded and checked the package, finding no explosives. Kessel was taken into custody outside the doctor's office, police said. Northampton Fire Company and Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad were staged in the Crossroad Plaza Shopping Center.

Kessel, who operates a dermatology practice in New Jersey, was arraigned before District Justice Vislosky. He was remanded to Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of $750,000/10% bail.

Matthew T. Newcomer of Post & Schell, the lawyer representing Kessel, told Patch in a statement that the situation was "an unfortunate miscommunication with a colleague’s staff as Dr. Kessel was delivering medical materials."

The statement went on to say "Dr. Kessel is working to resolve this matter. His medical practice will continue without interruption."

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30, court records show.

Image via Northampton Twp PD