A Pennsylvania man has been charged with possessing and transporting an explosive device intended to intimidate and cause damage in Burlington County, New Jersey. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba.
Michael Patrick Takacs, Jr., 43, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, faces one count of transporting an explosive across state lines with the intent to intimidate and damage property; one count of unlawfully transporting explosive materials; and two counts of unlawful possession of an explosive device. Takacs appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Skahill in Camden federal court on August 7, 2025, where he was ordered detained.
“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 stated: "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."
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings:
On July 26, 2025 at approximately 2:42 a.m., an explosive detonated near a silver Ford Explorer parked at Victim-1’s driveway in Delran, New Jersey. The blast created a debris field about 100 feet wide with nails and bolts embedded into both the vehicle and nearby homes.
Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored SUV—later identified as a Jeep Renegade—parking across from Victim-1’s residence minutes before the explosion. An individual exited carrying a black object toward Victim-1’s vehicle then left empty-handed before departing in the SUV.
Shortly after leaving on video footage at high speed past Victim-1’s home, there was an explosion engulfing the area around Victim-1’s Ford Explorer. Law enforcement believes that as he drove past again, Takacs remotely detonated an explosive device previously placed near the vehicle.
Victim-1 had previously supervised Takacs at their workplace before Takacs’ termination from employment around May 2025.
Authorities later found a similar Jeep Renegade parked near Takacs’ home in Warminster. Investigators also discovered that Takacs had purchased detonators matching those found at the scene weeks prior through an online site.
Additional evidence included a screenshot taken by Takacs on June 4 depicting Victim-1's residence on an online map as well as conversations about acquiring a license plate flipper—a device used for concealing license plates electronically—and confirmation that he lacked permits required for making or transporting explosives.
Each charge carries up to ten years imprisonment; some counts carry maximum fines up to $250,000 while others carry fines up to $10,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents from several agencies including FBI Newark led by Special Agent Stefanie Roddy; FBI Philadelphia led by Wayne A. Jacobs; 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—all for their roles during investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincent D. Romano and Casey S. Smith from Newark's National Security Unit with assistance from DOJ Counterterrorism Section of National Security Division.
The charges are accusations only; Takacs is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Defense counsel is Thomas Young from Federal Public Defender's office.
