Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A Niagara Falls man who had a brief standoff with State Police on the Thruway Thursday is now facing federal charges in connection with possessing bombs.
Federal prosecutors say 47 year old Jose M. Gandia was charged by complaint with unlawful possession of a destructive device and unlawful possession of a shortened shotgun. Trooper say they received a report of an individual pointing a shotgun with a red laser out of a red pickup truck on the New York State Thruway. A trooper located the vehicle stopped behind the traffic cones of an active work zone near the Town of Hanover. The trooper approached the vehicle and ordered the driver, later identified as Gandia, to exit. As the trooper attempted to handcuff Gandia, he resisted and a fight ensued. As the trooper struggled with Gandia, a second trooper arrived and assisted in handcuffing Gandia. The trooper who initially responded to the call suffered a broken hand in the altercation. A knife was found in Gandia’s pocket, and a second one was located on the ground next to the red pickup.
Following Gandia’s arrest, a trooper observed a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle in the passenger seat of the red pickup, as well as a ballistic vest and another knife. Another ballistic vest and an item that appeared to be a pipe bomb were then located in the rear of the vehicle. Troopers backed away from the vehicle, secured the scene, and called explosive specialists to the scene. The incident resulted in the closure of the westbound Interstate 90 of the New York State Thruway.
A New York State Police Bomb Technician examined the device and confirmed that the device, a pipe bomb, appeared to be a functional destructive device. During the examination of the device, the bomb technician utilized a “Disruptor,” a tool used to knock off the end cap of the device in an attempt to disassemble and disable the device remotely. During this procedure the device detonated.
Following the incident on the Thruway, investigators executed a search warrant at Gandia’s Cedar Street residence in Niagara Falls. They recovered nine suspected destructive devices, all appeared to be of similar construction as the device recovered from the defendant’s vehicle. Five of the suspected devices were attached to two separate propane tanks. Two of the devices were placed near the front entrance of the residence and two additional devices were placed near the rear entrance; all four devices were rigged to detonate.
“Amidst the pandemic, the brave men and women of law enforcement continue to risk life and limb to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “With knives, guns, and 10 bombs—one of which was detonated, and nine of which were inside a house located in a crowded residential area—the danger this individual presented cannot be understated. As our tremendous medical professionals—and each of us—focus efforts on doing everything possible to defeat the invisible enemy, our law enforcement professionals remain vigilant to ensure that our fight may continue and that the enemies amongst us can do us no harm. All of our protectors are worthy of our praise and gratitude.”