Overview
- James M. Sever, 54, was taken into custody without incident Tuesday evening after a trooper spotted him riding an e-bike on the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County.
- He is being held without bail in Westmoreland County Prison on charges that include attempted homicide, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and risking catastrophe, with a court appearance set for Monday.
- Police allege Sever placed a pipe bomb under former landlord Dave Martin’s mower, which exploded on July 20 in Salem Township; investigators recovered shrapnel, threaded pipe, wiring, nails, screws, zip ties, and a battery.
- The criminal complaint cites a June eviction and alleged threats toward the landlord, along with cellphone data placing Sever near the property for nearly 50 minutes the day before the blast.
- An Aug. 22 fire at the same property is being investigated as arson with ATF and FBI involvement, and state police say a pipe-like device found on a Pennsylvania Turnpike ramp may be related to the broader investigation.