Huge cache of weapons, explosives included homemade flamethrower, Monmouth prosecutor says

HOWELL — Authorities said they collected dozens of guns, thousands of rounds of ammo, as well as explosives designed to be used in bombs, at two Monmouth County homes — arresting three people on a range of weapons charges.

Also among the items seized: A homemade flamethrower.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said the investigation started after authorities got word of a resident storing explosives and other materials in a home.

With the help of the New Jersey State Police and a K-9 unit from Bradley Beach, Howell Police and prosecutor's office detectives executed a initial search warrant on 191 Ford Road in Howell, turning up firearms and ammunition, as well as marijuana.

Gramiccioni said from there the investigation turned to a home on Route 33 in Freehold Township where a member of the Pagan's Outlaw Motorcycle Gang lived.

Police found a "significant amount" of materials that could be used to build explosives as well as six long guns, 10 handguns, the flame thrower, and 13 containers of ammunition, Gramiccioni said. The prosecutor said the ammo recovered included "hollow nose and armor-piercing cartridges."

That second search involved several agencies — the Freehold Township Police Department, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team, a New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit, the Gang Unit Central and Arson/Bomb Unit, as well as representatives of the Monmouth County Haz-Mat Team, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and a K-9 unit from the Bradley Beach Police Department.

The prosecutor's office did not say how one home was connected to the other. It also hasn't said if those arrested were suspected of plotting to use the weapons and explosives.

Anthony Corraro, 49, the Pagan's Outlaw member, was charged with second-degree attempted possession of explosives for an unlawful purpose, second-degree attempted possession of destructive devices for an unlawful purpose, third-degree attempted possession of destructive devices, fourth-degree possession of armor penetrating bullets, and fourth-degree possession of firearm silencers.

David Tash, 53, and Christopher Tash, 49, were arrested at the Howell home and charged with second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms, fourth-degree possession of armor penetrating bullets, and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine. David Tash was also charged with fourth-degree possession of over 50 grams of marijuana.

The investigation is ongoing and Gramiccioni asked anyone with information to contact Det. Wayne Raynor or Det. Daniel Newman at 1-800-533-7443.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com