Vineland, NJ, Man Admits Possessing Destructive Device, Explosive Materials

A Cumberland County man has admitted to possessing a destructive device and explosive materials.

On Tuesday, Federal authorities said 64-year-old Thomas Petronglo of Vineland pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a destructive device and one count of unlawful storage of explosives.

On March 12, 2021, Petronglo was found in possession of one destructive device, a 5 ¾-inch diameter metal can, containing a quantity of an explosive mixture of potassium perchlorate and aluminum, with a fuse sticking out of the device. Petronglo also possessed multiple intact improvised explosive devices and explosive materials at his residence in Vineland.

According to a press release after Petronglo was charged, those improvised devices included the following:

• One suspected improvised explosive device containing a plastic cylinder, suspected explosive mixture inside the plastic cylinder, with cardboard tubing and a fuse sticking out of the device

• One suspected improvised explosive device containing a plastic cylinder, M class device inside the plastic cylinder, with suspected explosive mixture wrapped in black electrical tape with a fuse sticking out of the device

• One suspected improvised explosive device, containing a black plastic cylinder wrapped in black electrical tape, inside the cylinder is a suspected explosive mixture, with a fuse sticking out of the device

• One suspected improvised explosive device, containing cardboard tubing with twine wrapped around the cardboard tubing and the wrapped in black electrical tape, with a suspected explosive mixture inside the cardboard tubing and a fuse sticking out of the device

• Two M class devices – one 3-inch M class device and one 2-inch M class, both suspected devices in red cardboard tubes with wooden plug at the end of the devices, inside the cardboard tubing is a suspected explosive mixture with a fuse sticking out of the device

The count of possession of a destructive device carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of unlawful storage of explosives carries up to one year behind bars and a $100,000 fine.

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U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Vineland Police Department; Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office; and the N.J. State Police for their assistance with this investigation.