Suspicious Package at Sea Bright’s Donovan’s Reef Turns out to be Explosive Device

On Sunday, Sept. 1, an investigation began in Monmouth County when a suspicious package with a destructive device was left at Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright. An investigation by the Sea Bright Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office led to the South Plainfield residence of Thomas G. Kaiser, 55.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Chief Brett M. Friedman of the Sea Bright Police Department, and Chief James Parker of the South Plainfield Police Department announced yesterday that Kaiser was arrested and transported to the Sea Bright Police Department where he was criminally charged. He was charged with one count of possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose in the second degree and one count of possession of a destructive device in the third degree. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

During the investigation, it was learned that there were other destructive devices near Kaiser’s home which is located in the vicinity of the start of the South Plainfield Labor Day parade. As a result, the South Plainfield Police Department canceled the parade out of an abundance of caution and due to the potential threat to the community.

If anyone sees or uncovers a suspicious package, they are urged to contact law enforcement.

The investigation was conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Sea Bright Plainfield Police Department, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office the South Plainfield Police Department, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the FBI, the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad and various K-9 units.

The investigation is ongoing and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Chernavsky of the Sea Bright Police Department at 732-842-0010, Detective Shawn Murphy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-803-5406, or the South Plainfield Police Department at 908-755-0700.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Kaiser are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.