A New York man is facing federal charges after allegedly building and stashing homemade bombs across Manhattan, including on active subway tracks and residential rooftops.
Michael Gann, 55, of Inwood, was charged Tuesday with manufacturing at least seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using chemicals he bought online, according to US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton.
“The safety of New Yorkers is paramount,” said Clayton.
“As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks—putting countless lives at risk. Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed. That vigilance assuredly prevented a tragedy in New York,” Clayton said in a statement.
Authorities say Gann’s alleged actions included throwing an IED onto the Williamsburg Bridge subway tracks and hoarding explosives, some with shotgun shells, above Manhattan apartment buildings.
He was arrested June 5 with another device on him, officials said.