A federal investigation brought a heavy law enforcement presence to Newtown Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Sunday evening as local police worked alongside agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Newtown Township police announced on Sunday, March 8, that officers were assisting the FBI with an investigation in the township. Residents were advised they could see increased police activity near the intersection of Stoopville Road and Clymer Street while investigators carried out their work. Authorities asked the public to avoid the area if possible so investigators could operate safely and efficiently. Officials also said there was no active threat to the community during the investigation.
The department issued a public notice through CRIMEWATCH® at 6:11 p.m. on March 8 explaining the situation and the activity in the area. Police said any questions about the investigation should be directed to the FBI and added that additional updates would be provided if necessary.
The investigative activity in Newtown Township occurred one day after an incident in New York City involving an improvised explosive device during protests outside the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Gracie Mansion. Authorities have not confirmed whether the federal investigation in Bucks County is directly connected to the incident in New York, although two suspects arrested in the case are from Bucks County and one of them is from Newtown Township.
According to the New York Police Department, Emir Balat, 18, of the Langhorne area, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, of Newtown in Bucks County, were arrested after devices were thrown outside Gracie Mansion at about 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 7.
Police said the devices consisted of jars wrapped in black tape that were filled with nuts, bolts, and hobby fuses. Investigators reported that one of the devices was ignited and thrown during the protests.
“The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb. It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement released on Sunday, March 8.
Authorities said further analysis is being conducted on a second device recovered at the scene.
The explosive device incident happened during dueling demonstrations outside Gracie Mansion. One protest was organized by Florida U.S. Senate candidate Jack Lang and drew about 25 participants. Organizers described the rally as an event intended to “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York.” A counter-protest titled “Run the Nazis Out of Town” drew roughly 100 people, according to city officials.
Police reported that six people were arrested during the protests.
During the demonstrations, another Pennsylvania resident was arrested in a separate incident. Ian McGinnis, who lives on the 200 block of Moore Street in South Philadelphia, was taken into custody after police said he pepper-sprayed people during the protest. The NYPD charged McGinnis with assault, reckless endangerment, and unlawful possession of a noxious substance.
