21 September, 2010
A Hopkinton man has been indicted on charges that he was in possession of explosive devices, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.
Michael Fitzgerald, 35, of Hopkinton, was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on charges of possession of an infernal machine, placing/possessing explosives (2 counts), wanton destruction of property over $250, and attempting to burn a motor vehicle.
He will be arraigned on October 6 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn at 9 am.
According to authorities, on July 10, at approximately 8:40 am, Hopkinton police responded to 55 Downey Street for a report of a suspicious device resting against a motor home. Upon arrival, police discovered a device that had burned and caused damage to the home. Hopkinton police requested assistance from the Hopkinton Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad. Additional assistance was requested from the Milford and Ashland Fire Departments.
Police and fire officials evacuated residences in the area and the Bomb Squad investigated the device and rendered it safe.
Following the investigation on Downey Street, the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad responded to the Hopkinton Police Department for an additional suspicious device. At approximately 12:45 am that morning, the defendant was placed in protective custody. While being placed in protective custody, the defendant dropped what appeared to be a suspicious device, similar to the one found on Downey Street. The Bomb Squad rendered the second device safe.
Fitzgerald was arrested at approximately 3:07 pm on July 10 in Hopkinton.
Following the arrest of the defendant, police executed a search at him home. A third device was located outside and appropriate steps were taken to render the device safe.
The defendant was arraigned on July 12 in Framingham District Court where Judge Paul Yee held the defendant on $25,000 cash bail with the condition that he refrains from the use of alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, no possession of weapons or incendiary devices and must stay away from residences on Downey Street.
These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by Hopkinton Police Department in coordination with the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, and the Hopkinton Fire Department. Additional assistance was provided by the Milford Fire Department and Ashland Fire Department.
The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Joe Gentile. The victim witness advocate is Kristen D’Agnelli.
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