Update – 9/11/25: The Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office provided the following update Thursday. On September 9, police tracked and arrested Timothy Shaeffer Jr. in Columbia, Lancaster County, following the discovery of explosive devices inside a Newmanstown home earlier that day. Authorities said he was taken into custody without incident after investigators used his cell phone to locate him. Shaeffer was later transferred to Lebanon County Prison, where he remains in custody. A subsequent search of his Lancaster County residence uncovered additional electronics and another remote firing device, which investigators believe was compatible with the wiring system found in the Newmanstown explosives
Original post: Authorities say a Columbia, PA man is facing multiple charges after police discovered a safe containing 14 homemade explosive devices inside a Lebanon County residence.
According to Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf, the investigation began when a woman reported a possible Protection From Abuse (PFA) violation to a Berks County police department. The woman identified the suspect as Timothy Shaeffer Jr. and told police he had left a safe at a home in Newmanstown that contained explosive devices. She also provided officers with a remote firing device as evidence.
State Police, along with the FBI and the Lebanon County Detective Bureau, responded Tuesday, September 9, to the property on Central Drive in Newmanstown. Residents were evacuated as the Pennsylvania State Police Bomb Squad and other specialized units secured the area. An x-ray of the safe revealed what appeared to be a homemade bomb.
When the safe was opened, police found 14 explosive devices of varying capabilities. One was wired to be compatible with the remote detonator provided to authorities. Investigators described the wiring system as sophisticated and capable of remote detonation.
Shaeffer admitted ownership of the safe, which also contained his personal belongings. He has been charged with weapons of mass destruction, risking catastrophe, and recklessly endangering another person. Officials noted he has a history of PFA violations and drug-related convictions.
District Attorney Graf praised the swift response of law enforcement and emergency crews, noting the potential danger the devices posed.
“We took every possible precaution to ensure local residents were safe before clearing the scene,” Graf said. “The devices generated by the defendant could easily have detonated and seriously hurt the residents of the home, the children living inside, and/or each surrounding neighbor. We will work with the FBI and federal authorities to ensure the defendant receives the harshest penalties available under all possible state and federal laws.”
