PICTURED: Suspect found to be in possession of 'half a dozen pipe bomb-like explosives' near Labor Day parade route in New Jersey is identified, as brother slams his 'ridiculous' arrest

  • Thomas G. Kaiser, 55, of South Plainfield, was charged with two counts related to 'destructive devices' on Monday
  • 'Half a dozen' devices were found at the home he shares with his parents on West Crescent Parkway, described to resemble pipe bombs
  • Officers were led to Kaiser’s home after cleaning staff at Donovan's Reef, in Sea Bright, reported finding a cooler with fireworks inside on Sunday 
  • But Kaiser’s brother accused local police of ‘firing from the hip’ and overreacting in their decision to arrest him and cancel the parade 
  • It's believed that Kaiser was known to police and has mental health issues 

The brother of a New Jersey man reportedly found to be in possession of ‘pipe bomb-like explosives’ near the celebration route of the state’s largest Labor Day parade has spoken out in defense of his sibling, calling his arrest ‘ridiculous’.

Thomas G. Kaiser, 55, of South Plainfield, was charged with two counts related to 'destructive devices' on Monday.

The items were found at the home he shares with his parents on West Crescent Parkway.

Officers were led to Kaiser’s home after a separate investigation was launched when cleaning staff at Donovan's Reef, in Sea Bright, reported finding a cooler with fireworks inside on Sunday night. 

As a result, Authorities cancelled the parade for the first time in its 61-year history, but addressing the media on Monday evening, Kaiser’s brother - who chose not to identify himself - accused local police of ‘firing from the hip’ and overreacting.

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Thomas G. Kaiser, 55, of South Plainfield, was charged with two counts related to 'destructive devices' on Monday

Thomas G. Kaiser, 55, of South Plainfield, was charged with two counts related to 'destructive devices' on Monday

New Jersey's largest Labor Day parade has been cancelled after half a dozen 'destructive devices' were discovered in a property near to the celebration route

New Jersey's largest Labor Day parade has been cancelled after half a dozen 'destructive devices' were discovered in a property near to the celebration route

‘They shot from the hip, they heard explosive device and then the Monmouth County bomb squad was here but found nothing, so why bother? Why shoot from the hip and cancel things?

‘No, it’s ridiculous how people are shooting from the hip and falsifying these stories. That’s my take on the whole matter. This is being falsified from a little piece of news that just blew up. It’s ridiculous.’

Kaiser’s brother went on to say that police only found ‘one firework’ in their search, and though it’s illegal in the state of New Jersey, ‘it’s a firework – it’s not a bomb’.

Contrary to the claims however, police reported Monday morning that they had found ‘over half a dozen’ explosives at his parents' home.

The devices, described to resemble pipe bombs, were not powerful enough to kill anyone, a Homeland Security official told NJ.com.

In relation to the fireworks found at Donovan’s Reef, it was claimed that an unidentified man left the cooler at the eatery after he was told he wasn’t allowed to set them off at the end of a Guns 4 Hire concert.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (above) was supposed to be marching as part of the parade on Monday
A note was posted revealing that the parade had be cancelled due to 'security concerns'

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (left) was supposed to be marching as part of the parade on Monday. A note was posted revealing that the parade had be cancelled due to 'security concerns' (right)

New Jersey police discovered the 'destructive devices' after a cooler of fireworks were found on the grounds of concert venue Donovan's Reef (above).

New Jersey police discovered the 'destructive devices' after a cooler of fireworks were found on the grounds of concert venue Donovan's Reef (above).

A senior law enforcement official said that Kaiser was witnessed trying to give a large m-80 firework to a band member at the event - which later led them to search the home.

After discovering the devices, New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit assisted police in dismantling them.

There was no indication any of the devices were planted because of the parade, however as Kaiser's home was close to the parade route governor Phil Murphy and law enforcement decided to cancel as a precaution. 

It is likely that the event wouldn't go ahead due to poor weather conditions but the added security concern, confirmed the decision.

The South Plainfield event would have featured a parade, a 5km run and a firework display at the end of celebrations.

Kristi Moniz, who has lived in the area her whole life, said 'nothing like this has ever come close to happening here.'

She said: 'I think it's the scariest thing I've ever come across in my entire life.

'It's very scary that this is the world we live in now and our kids have to grow up in.'

Kaiser now faces two charges - a second degree count of possession of weapons for unlawful purposes and a third degree count of prohibited weapons and devices.

Both counts related to a 'destructive device' which according to New Jersey law can feature a long list of items including explosives, rockets, projectile firing weapons, Molotov cocktails and more.

It's believed that Kaiser was known to police and has mental health issues.

DailyMail.com reached out to Monmouth County Sherrif's Officer for more information but did not hear back.

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