A man awaiting trial for a car bombing attempt in 2016 is in federal custody Thursday after investigators found guns and bomb-making materials in his Bronx home, police said.
The NYPD and Homeland Security raided the home of Richard Laugel on Palmer Avenue, near Erskine Place, in Baychester on Tuesday as part of a narcotics investigation, police said. Inside, they found pills, chemicals, explosive materials and several guns, but Laugel, 38, was not there.
He was later apprehended at his girlfriend’s apartment, also in the Bronx, Wednesday afternoon, police said. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, but could face more charges as the investigation continues.
Laugel, who reportedly is a Marine Corps veteran, was charged in 2016 for allegedly planting a makeshift nail bomb under another man’s car. The bomb went off on March 2, 2016, while the man and a woman were in the car, but no one was injured, police said. He was arrested three days later, according to court records.
WANTED: Richard Laugel, 38 years old, 5’11”, 200 lbs. in connection to multiple firearms and apparent bomb making material found in a #Bronx residence on Palmer Ave. If you see him call 911, share info by calling #800577TIPS. pic.twitter.com/ulYWEyPFvI
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 23, 2018
Up until Wednesday, Laugel was out on bail. He is due in court for the 2016 charges on Tuesday.
With Alison Fox
