Delco Man Made 'Weapons Of Mass Destruction,' DA Says

A Delaware County man is facing weapons of mass destruction and related charges after authorities found homemade explosives in his home recently, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland and Chief Kenneth Felker announced Thursday the arrest of Lemar Jowell King, 24, of Collingdale.

King is charged with four counts of weapons of mass destruction, a felony of the second degree, risking a catastrophe, a felony of the third degree, possessing incendiary devices and possession of instruments of crime, both first-degree misdemeanors, and recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor.

He is accused of making incendiary devices capable of causing serious bodily injury or death, found in his home when authorities attempted to serve a bench warrant on Nov. 13, the DA's office said.

The arrest was made by Corporal William Carter of the Collingdale Police Department and Detective Christopher Tankelewicz of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with assistance from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the CID Bomb Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

King was remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility for failing to post bail which was set at ten percent of $100,000. He is set to appear for his preliminary hearing on Dec. 4, according to court records.

On Nov. 13, the Collingdale Police Department and members of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to 700 block of Clifton Avenue in Collingdale to arrest King after a bench warrant had been issued by the court for his failure to appear for a drug offense, the DA's office said.

After King refused to open his door for authorities, Sheriffs managed to get in the barricaded front door, according to the DA's office.

Authorities found King and took him into custody, but on their way out of the home they found four suspected destructive devices along with matches on a table just inside the front door of the apartment, the DA's office said.

Collingdale Police Officers contacted the CID Bomb Unit along with ATF.

When the CID Bomb Unit and ATF agents arrived, the second-floor tenants – which included two adults and a child – were safely evacuated from the building.

Authorities seized the four devices, which contained a flammable clear liquid with wicks attached, according to the DA's office.

The CID Bomb Unit conducted a controlled burn of the substances and ATF provided additional testing. Authorities later determined the incendiary devices were dangerous and capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office