An explosion at a business on Banta Road in Warkworth has led to several serious charges against a Bowmanville man.
On June 9, Northumberland OPP began an investigation following the blast and determined that a pipe bomb had been detonated inside an unoccupied vehicle on the property. No one was injured in the explosion.
On June 27, search warrants were executed on two properties; a home in Bowmanville and a vacant lot in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township resulting in 38-year-old Daniel Joseph Castellano being charged.
Members of the Northumberland County Crime Unit were assisted by the Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU), the Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU), Urban Search and Rescue – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Team (UCRT) and the Peterborough County OPP Crime Unit.
Investigators seized several pipe bombs, handguns and long guns with ammunition, a quantity of black gun powder, electronic devices and $60,000 in stolen property.
Castellano is charged with:
- Explosives – Making or Possessing for Unlawful Purpose (12 counts)
- With Intent to Destroy or Damage Property, Place or Throw an Explosive Substance
- Breach of Firearms Regulation – Store Firearm or Restricted Weapon (4 counts)
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose (2 counts)
- Mischief Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5,000 (2 counts)
- Possession of Break In Instruments
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Under $5,000
- Possession of a Schedule II Substance – Cannabis Marihuana – over 30g
Castellano was held for a bail hearing scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on June 28 and remains in custody at the time of this release.
The investigation continues under the direction of the Northumberland County Crime Unit.
