Moorestown teen accused of creating explosive materials had no target, planned action: police

Moorestown teen reportedly flees country after explosive devices discovered

New details have emerged after officials say an 18-year-old Moorestown resident is the suspect of the explosive device materials found in the neighborhood this past weekend.

MOORESTOWN, N.J. - A quiet New Jersey community was left shaken over the weekend after police say a teenager created explosive materials and detonated them at a friend's house.

A massive police presence swarmed Cove Road in Moorestown on Saturday after investigators say the "volatile materials" were left at the property.

Neighboring homes were evacuated while State Police and Burlington County officials removed the explosives and safely detonated them in a public works yard.

Investigators say the teen created the explosive materials with no specific target or premedicated action, and is believed to have been participating in a school project.

What we know:

Moorestown Police Chief Patrick Reilly said a group of teens were working on some sort of school project in the backyard of a home on Cove Road on Saturday.

"It was a science project," Chief Reilly told reporters. "This individual came over with material thinking he was going to help with their project."

A massive police presence swarmed the otherwise sleepy New Jersey neighborhood after one of the teens told her uncle about the explosive materials.

Teen accused of making homemade explosive as part of school project, police say

A quiet New Jersey community was left shaken over the weekend after police say a teenager created explosive materials and detonated them at a friend's house.

Investigators soon learned that an 18-year-old who lives over 3 miles away on East Oak Avenue brought the "volatile materials" to the Cove Road address. 

A bomb squad removed the explosive materials from the backyard and garage of the property and detonated them at a nearby public works yard.

Explosive scene in Moorestown prompts investigation

An investigation is underway in Moorestown after explosive device materials were found and detonated by official personnel.

Neighbors were briefly forced to evacuate their homes while authorities safely secured the potentially dangerous situation.

A search of the teen's home uncovered a makeshift lab in the basement where more explosive materials were removed and detonated outside the home.

At the request of the Moorestown School District, bomb-sniffing dogs were used to search Moorestown High School and Upper Elementary School.

Neither search uncovered any explosive materials, according to police.

Investigators do not believe the teen made the explosive with a target or pre-planned action in mind, Reilly said during a press conference on Monday. 

What's next:

The suspect, who just turned 18 over the weekend, is not in custody at this time and is being "tracked" by authorities, Reilly said.

Sources tell FOX 29's JoAnn Pileggi the teen may have fled out of the country.

"He is not available," Reilly said, stopping short of labeling the teen a fugitive. "Feds are tracking him now and they are keeping us abreast." 

Federal authorities are awaiting lab results taken by investigators to determine how the suspect will be charged, Reilly said.

He faces possible charges of causing or risking widespread injury or damage and possession of destructive devices.

What they're saying:

John Morton, a neighbor, recounted the commotion. "My wife thought a bomb went off. I came outside and heard police say 'fire in the hole' and then bang," he said.

Soujanya Gamini, another neighbor, expressed concern. "The kids, they can be stupid. I have a teenager. Explosives are dangerous, but I just don’t know how to process all this information," she said.