A quiet Worcester neighborhood was disrupted with blasts and clouds of smoke yesterday morning after a man began throwing explosive devices from his apartment. According to a social media post by the Worcester Police Department, Worcester police officers responded to calls of explosions on Catharine Street at roughly 11:36 AM.
When they arrived on scene, officers were greeted by the din of a another explosive going off and were met with the sight of smoke that had engulfed the street. A neighbor's account, alongside the audible chaos, helped lead law enforcement to the source—a local resident seemingly involved in lighting and hurling half-sticks of dynamite from his home. Police found the suspect, 62-year-old Richard Dupre, amid several large, red explosive sticks, which resulted in his immediate detainment on multiple charges.
"Officers entered the suspect’s residence and discovered several large, red explosive sticks. Sixty-two-year-old Richard Dupre was placed under arrest and was charged with throwing or placing an incendiary device, discharging or exploding an incendiary device, vandalism, disturbing the peace and possession of an incendiary device," the Worcester Police reported on their official Facebook page.
The severity of the situation warranted backup from the WPD Crime Scene Unit, and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was also notified. Bomb squad experts confirmed the objects as incendiary devices and facilitated their removal for controlled detonation. Authorities affirmed that despite the potential for grievous harm, the events concluded without injury to residents or officers.
