A Newton man pleaded innocent to six criminal charges resulting from an investigation by the state bomb squad after a neighborhood was evacuated Monday night and authorities recovered two explosive devices, various weapons and a cabinet full of chemicals.
Stephen Wong, 56, of 21 Talbot St., was arrested after turning over an inventory of weapons to police just before 6 p.m., said Lt. Bruce Apotheker.
He was released Tuesday after his arraignment in Newton District Court on $1,500 cash bail and ordered to turn over any additional weapons. Wong was also instructed to continue cooperating with police.
According to police reports, Wong contacted local authorities after finding additional weapons in his home following a non-criminal incident in February. Apotheker declined to comment on the earlier incident.
While searching the home, police found an explosive device, leading them to call in the state bomb squad, according to court documents. Talbot Street was cordoned off and nearby homes were evacuated while police continued their search.
The first explosive device discovered by police was described in court documents as a 2-inch square metal box. On the bottom of the box a metal pin had been inserted through a small slit and a string, or triggering device, was attached to the pin.
The device was not considered an active bomb by investigators because it was not loaded with explosive material.
A second explosive device, recovered by state police, was found in a locked safe inside a closet and was considered an active bomb, court documents said.
The device was three small explosives tied together and surrounded by metal shrapnel, court documents said.
During the initial search, police also recovered two unsecured loaded guns, knives, throwing stars and blowguns.
All of the weapons and explosive materials were found in a second floor bedroom, according to police reports. Throughout the search and seizure, Wong cooperated with police and directed them to the weapons and provided the code to a safe.
Apotheker said additional charges could be forthcoming. The state's hazmat team returned to the residence Tuesday morning and found a makeshift science lab inside a gun cabinet.
"The observed various glass and plastic containers with various labels on them," said Apotheker,
Mercury, sulfur flour, nickel chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride were among other chemicals recovered by the hazmat team, said Apotheker.
Also, eight devices that spray harmful gases and are used to kill rodents were recovered, he said.
Apotheker did not have any information as to what happens when the chemicals or devices are mixed.
Wong is due back in court April 15 for a pretrial conference.
Kerri Roche can be reached at kroche@cnc.com or 781-398-8009.
