Crime & Safety

Party Pooper Gets Dynamite, Firecracker Tossed at Him, Police Say

A Plainfield Township man allegedly threw a lit quarter-stick of dynamite and an M80 firecracker at another man who threatened to complain to police about a large and loud party across the street from his house, according to court records.

Written by Daryl Nerl

A Plainfield Township man allegedly threw a lit quarter-stick of dynamite and an M80 firecracker at another man who threatened to complain to police about a large and loud party across the street from his house, according to court records.

Justin Taylor, 23, of 6429 Heitzman Road, is facing aggravated assault and other charges as a result of the incident, which took place on the 800 block of Bender’s Church Road in the township.

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The victim told police that he had confronted several people at the party—which allegedly featured loud music, yelling teens and smoke—and asked them to quiet down or he would call police, the affidavit said. It was after 1 a.m. Saturday morning.

While the victim was standing in the road, Taylor allegedly threw the lit fireworks at him and they both landed near his feet, the affidavit said.

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According to the affidavit, the victim chased Taylor in his own car while he called 911, though it is unclear how that chase ended.

Ultimately, police found Taylor’s car, a white Saturn, parked back on the 800 block of Bender’s Church Road. Officer William J. Wales of the Plainfield Township Police Department wrote in the affidavit that the car’s hood was warm and that the car had been recently operated.

While looking inside the windows of the car, Wales wrote, he saw “in plain view” a quarter stick of dynamite and another firecracker in the passenger side door console.

Wales was taking pictures of the car and the contents inside when Taylor confronted him, asking him where his “f---ing” search warrant was.

The victim said the car was the one being driven when the fireworks were thrown at him. Taylor said he was the only person who had been driving the car.

In addition to aggravated assault, Taylor was charged with reckless endangerment, propulsion of missiles onto roadways, simple assault, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Taylor was arraigned at a little before 7 a.m. Saturday by on-duty District Judge Roy Manwaring of Bethlehem and released on 10 percent of $5,000 bail.


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