Crime & Safety
Warminster Man Admits Detonating Explosive Under Former Supervisor's Vehicle
Federal prosecutors said the device was placed under a vehicle at the former supervisor's Delran, N.J. home last July.
WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP, PA — A 44-year-old township man has pleaded guilty to charges that he detonated an explosive device under a vehicle at his former supervisor’s home in New Jersey.
Michael Patrick Takacs Jr., of Warminster, pleaded guilty on Tuesday that he transported an explosive with the knowledge and intent that it would be used to intimidate an individual and used unlawfully to damage and destroy property, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.
Takacs was terminated from his job in April 2025. After that, authorities said he manufactured an improvised explosive device, or IED, using explosive chemicals and a remote pyrotechnic device he purchased.
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The IED was filled with shrapnel, including nails, according to the criminal complaint.
In the early morning hours of July 26, 2025, Takacs transported the device from Pennsylvania to his former supervisor’s home in Delran, N.J., according to court documents.
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Authorities said he placed it under a vehicle parked in the driveway and took steps to conceal his identity while transporting it, including removing the license plate from his vehicle, leaving his personal cell phone at home, and wearing a mask.
The device was then remotely detonated, according to the court record. Authorities said the explosion was intended to intimidate his former supervisor and to damage and destroy the vehicle.
Takacs faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8.
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