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Slate Belt Regional police were called to East Laurel Avenue in Pen Argyl at 3 a.m. on Saturday, March 18 after residents reported hearing a large explosion, the department said in a release.
Authorities noted that they had received "numerous" similar complaints in the neighborhood "beginning several months earlier."
No suspects were in the area by the time officers arrived, so detectives returned the next day to conduct a follow-up investigation, police leaders said. They uncovered surveillance footage linking two suspects to the blasts, and later obtained "multiple search warrants" for homes in the borough, they said.
During the raids, police said they found a "large amount" of display fireworks, which "are considered explosives and are prohibited for possession under federal law," according to SBRPD.
Northampton County District Attorney Terrence Houck said police recovered "one white PVD cylindrical pipe with burnt explosive debris, 12 mortar cakes with 25 rounds each, 2 large mortar cakes with 100 rounds each, one 144 pack of bottle rockets, 66 roman candles, and equipment related to fireworks and explosive materials" during the searches.
One suspect, Joseph K. Zanette, 57, of Pen Argyl, was arrested and charged with felony arson, possession of explosives, and risking catastrophe, police said. He was booked at the Northampton County Prison after Magisterial District Judge Zito set bail at $125,000, they added.
His suspected accomplice, 32-year-old Justin A. Taylor, is wanted by Slate Belt police. Anyone with information is asked to call 610-759-8517 ext. 6126 or submit a tip on the Northampton County Crime Watch webpage.
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