$5K reward offered for help in finding fugitive James Sever, charged with attempted homicide, arson

A reward has been increased to $5,000 for information that helps police find a wanted man accused of causing an explosion by putting a pipe bomb in a lawnmower.

State Trooper Steve Limani said police are hoping that offering more cash will push someone to come forward with information about James M. Sever, 54. Authorities from multiple agencies have been looking for him for more than a month in connection with a July 20 explosion at a Salem property from which he was evicted.

They think he’s still in the area, possibly living in the woods or using an e-bike to get around.

“We have no reason to believe he’s somewhere else,” Limani said.

State police charged him July 25 with attempted homicide, weapons of mass destruction, risking catastrophe and related offenses in connection with the July 20 explosion. The landlord of the property on Route 22 east told police he filled the lawnmower’s tank with gas and started the engine in a garage, letting it idle for about 10 seconds, according to court papers. It exploded when he pushed the lawnmower’s handles to move it forward and troopers seized numerous pieces of shrapnel in the garage.

Sever was evicted in June after his failure to pay a monthly lease, according to Westmoreland County court records and police. He lived on the first floor.

Authorities are still trying to determine the cause of a suspicious fire at the same property Aug. 22. They’ve ruled out electrical as being a possible cause, Limani said. The blaze, which destroyed the home, appeared to have started on the vacant first floor. A tenant who lived on the second floor was not home at the time.

Items from the home are being processed at a lab to see if there was any accelerant present, he said. No charges had been filed in relation to the fire.

Troopers are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. They’ve been combing the area for weeks for Sever and following up on possible sightings, Limani said.

“We don’t have anything to substantiate someone is helping him,” Limani said, but added “he has to charge his bike somewhere.”

“If you are harboring a fugitive or you are aiding and abetting and assisting someone to avoid law enforcement … there are criminal statutes that address that type of behavior,” he said.

The $5,000 reward is being offered by PSP Tips. The money comes from asset forfeiture funds. The reward previously was $2,000.

Sever may be in the area of New Alexandria, Derry Township, West Newton, Kane or the woods, according to PSP Tips. He may be operating a dark blue e-bike.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact state police in Kiski at 724-697-5780, 911 or PSP Tips at 1-800-472-8477. A tip can be made online here.