Crime & Safety
South Brunswick Man, Dad Admit Setting Off Homemade Firework That Caused Serious Injury
Thomas and Erich Kaiser detonated a homemade explosive device, injuring and hospitalizing a Bridgewater man on the July 4th weekend in 2024.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A South Brunswick man and his father pleaded guilty Friday to setting off homemade fireworks at Cooper Street Park in Manville last July, seriously injuring a Bridgewater man.
Erich Kaiser, 29, of Monmouth Junction, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree aggravated assault by recklessly causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon and third-degree criminal mischief.
His father, Thomas Kaiser, 60, of South Plainfield, pleaded guilty to second-degree causing or risking widespread injury or damage; fourth-degree aggravated assault by recklessly causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon; and third-degree criminal mischief.
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Thomas Kaiser could face a six-year prison term. Erich Kaiser faces a period of probation with a suspended term of 180 days in county jail.
They must also pay restitution to the victims. Sentencing is scheduled for May 23.
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At about 8:16 p.m. on July 6, 2024, police and emergency medical personnel went to Cooper Street Park in Manville for a reported explosion that severely injured a 34-year-old Bridgewater man and caused damage to multiple homes and vehicles.
The investigation found that Thomas Kaiser brought a homemade explosive device, essentially a metal tube containing explosive powder, to the area of Cooper Street Park, according to authorities.
Erich Kaiser placed the device in an empty area of the park and ignited the fuse, said authorities.
The explosion caused multiple shards of the metal tube to fly off in various directions. One shard hit a 34-year-old Bridgewater man, who suffered lower torso injuries. He was treated on scene and then airlifted to a New Brunswick Trauma Hospital.
Other shards pierced through the outside and inside walls of multiple homes and caused damage to vehicles.
The investigation was conducted by the Manville Borough Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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