A Pennsylvania man has been charged with unlawfully possessing and transporting an explosive device intended to intimidate and cause damage in Burlington County, New Jersey. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Michael Patrick Takacs, Jr., 43, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, faces several federal charges following an incident that resulted in significant property damage.
Takacs appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Skahill in Camden federal court on August 7, 2025. He was ordered detained after being charged by complaint with transporting an explosive across state lines with intent to intimidate and destroy property, unlawfully transporting explosive materials, and unlawful possession of an explosive device.
“Disgruntled individuals who seek retaliation in such dangerous ways – ways that could have seriously injured not only the victim, but others in the community, cannot be tolerated. We will continue to support and collaborate with our law enforcement partners, who acted swiftly, yet methodically, in this matter. Violent actors will be brought to justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy described the response: “We learned a bomb was placed under a person’s vehicle and it exploded before dawn on a Saturday in Delran, NJ. Our agents, intelligence analysts, bomb technicians, evidence response team, and task force officers with state and local police agencies rushed to the scene and immediately began searching for a suspect. We worked around the clock and developed evidence in just days to allege Takacs built the bomb and took very specific steps to avoid detection. Our most important mission in these types of investigations is to protect the public from injury or death by preventing additional attacks. The people of New Jersey do not always get to see the swift and incredible work done by the FBI and our law enforcement partners, but this case illustrates what we do and the way we do it is vital to the communities we serve.”
Court documents indicate that on July 26, 2025 at about 2:42 a.m., an explosive detonated near a silver Ford Explorer parked at Victim-1’s residence in Delran. The blast left debris scattered over a wide area; nails and bolts were found embedded both in the vehicle and nearby homes.
Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored Jeep Renegade arriving shortly before the explosion. An individual exited carrying a black object toward Victim-1’s vehicle before quickly returning empty-handed; moments later that same SUV sped past as an explosion occurred.
Investigators believe Takacs remotely detonated an explosive device after placing it near Victim-1’s vehicle while driving by again.
Victim-1 had previously supervised Takacs at work until his termination from employment around May 2025.
Law enforcement located a Jeep Renegade matching surveillance images parked at Takacs’ home in Warminster. Investigators also discovered he had purchased detonators online similar to those used at the scene weeks prior to the incident.
Evidence further shows Takacs took a screenshot of Victim-1’s address on June 4th and discussed acquiring equipment capable of concealing license plates electronically; he lacked permits required for making or moving explosives.
Each charge related to transportation or possession of explosives carries up to ten years’ imprisonment; fines vary between $10,000–$250,000 depending on count.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including FBI offices in Newark and Philadelphia; U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Pennsylvania; New Jersey Office of Homeland Security; New Jersey State Police; Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office; Delran Township Police Department; Bucks County Sheriff’s Office (PA); Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincent D. Romano and Casey S. Smith are prosecuting with help from DOJ Counterterrorism Section staff.
The allegations remain accusations unless proven otherwise during trial proceedings.
