Weapons, Chemical Stash Found In Wakefield

FBI, ATF And State Police Are Investigating Disturbing Discovery

Monday, June 16, 2003
(8:37 PM ET)
TheBostonChannel.com

WAKEFIELD, Mass.
So far authorities have removed nothing from 67 Cedar Street but they say there is a lot in there -- everything from shotguns to rifles, bullets, grenades and chemicals, Newscenter 5's Mary Saladna reported. Authorities said they will take a longtime to sort out exactly what they have and how to get it out safely.

FBI and ATF agents are still taking inventory but police say the house is full of weapons and dangerous substances.

"Pretty much all over the house and a very large amount of material. We discovered a small amount of liquid biological material and a large amount of . I'm not an expert, but the experts from ATF and bomb squad and State Police are advising me this is explosive materials," said Chief Stephen Doherty of the Wakefield Police.

Authorities won't say who lives there but neighbors told Saladna that it's a 48-year-old man who recently did time in jail for weapons violations.

"He's stuck in the military. This is his life. He loves the military and survival things. He absolutely loves that stuff," one neighbor said.

The FBI, ATF and police are still trying to come up with what they call a 'removal strategy.' They said the weapons and chemicals are not dangerous at rest, but they could be dangerous if they were to mix. The neighborhood may have to be evacuated while the material is removed.

Authorities say it is too soon to tell if this may be linked to terrorism. Both the FBI and ATF will be looking into any terror connections.
(More: TheBostonChannel.com)

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Dan