Moment when the SWAT unit approaches the ‘bomber’ of the Pennsylvania flight
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Surveillance footage has revealed the tense moment a would-be airliner “bomber” was arrested after smuggling an explosive device in checked luggage.
Marc Muffley, 40, is accused of conspiring to destroy an Allegiant flight flying from eastern Pennsylvania to Sanford, Florida, but the family says he’s “not smart enough.”
The 40-year-old man was arrested at his Lansford, Pennsylvania home after he rushed out of Lehigh Valley International Airport after the device was found.
He is scheduled to appear by video link in an Allentown court for a probable cause hearing and a detention bond hearing later today.
Surveillance footage has revealed the tense moment a would-be airliner ‘bomber’ was arrested after smuggling an explosive device in checked luggage.
Marc Muffley, 40, is accused of conspiring to destroy an Allegiant flight flying from eastern Pennsylvania to Sanford, Florida, but the family says he’s “not smart enough.”
Muffley was about to catch an Allegiant flight from eastern Pennsylvania to Sanford, Florida. He has been charged with possession of an explosive at an airport and possession, attempt to plant or having placed an explosive on an aircraft.
A heavily armed SWAT team can be seen storming Muffley Street in Lansford in video footage provided to wfmz by neighbor Megan Rims.
Rims said she lives just a couple of doors down from Muffley, saying the ordeal sounds “terrifying.”
“I was at work and I heard ‘Carbon County man’ on the news, and I looked up and said, ‘That’s my neighbor,'” he said.
That’s why they were there. Oh my gosh,” he added in reference to the officers.
A relative, who remained anonymous, told the outlet that he doesn’t think his cousin is capable of pulling off such a plot.
It’s a good thing that the whole country thinks it’s smart enough to build a bomb. He’s just not that smart,’ they said.
Muffley was taken into FBI custody after an explosive device was found sewn into the lining of his checked luggage.
The ‘bomb’ that was nearly smuggled onto an Allegiant flight and was made of commercial grade fireworks, circular in shape and about three inches in diameter.
Muffley faces charges of possession of an explosive at an airport and possession and/or attempt to plant an explosive on an aircraft.
A heavily armed SWAT team can be seen storming Muffley Street in Lansford on video from neighbor Megan Rims’ doorbell.
Muffley was arrested at his home on Abbott Street (pictured) Monday, a few doors down from the Rim.
He was caught after his bag set off an alarm before being loaded onto the plane, and the TSA found a ‘circular compound’ hidden in the luggage lining, the FBI said.
It is suspected that the ‘powder is a mixture of lightning powder and the dark granules used in commercial-grade fireworks’ that was wrapped in waxed paper and plastic, a criminal complaint state
There were also two fuses attached, one of which appeared to be part of the original manufacture and is used to quickly ignite explosives.
“Attached to the circular compound were a ‘fast fuse’ and a ‘hobby fuse,'” the complaint stated.
A quick match is designed to ignite explosives quickly. It appeared to be part of the original manufacturing of the compound.
A ‘hobby fuse’ is known to be a normal fuse that burns slower than a fast fuse. The ‘hobby fuse’ seemed to have been added after manufacture.’
The other fuse was added later and burns more slowly than a fast fuse, authorities said, adding that the powders could be ignited by heat and friction, posing a “significant risk” to the plane and passengers.
Muffley’s bag set off an alarm before it was loaded onto the plane, and the TSA found a “circular compound” hidden in the lining of the luggage, the FBI said.
Authorities say the device was concealed inside a piece of checked luggage and contained multiple fuses.
Investigators also found in the suitcase a butane canister, a cigarette lighter, a pipe with white powdery residue, a cordless drill and two GFCI plugs taped together, according to the complaint.
The suspicious package was discovered shortly after 11 a.m. Monday and the west side of the airport’s main terminal was closed “out of precaution” around 11:15 a.m., according to wfmz.
The ‘bomb’ was removed from the airport. After its removal, the main terminal was reopened around 2 p.m.
Once found, Muffley was called to the security desk around 11:40 a.m., but was later seen leaving the airport on security footage at 11:45 a.m.
The 40-year-old man has a lengthy rap sheet dating back to 2017, which includes harassment, disorderly conduct and fighting, according to the Magistral District Court of Pennsylvania.