Police: New Alexandria man sought after former landlord's lawnmower explodes

State police are looking for a New Alexandria man they believe injured his former landlord in an explosion in Salem Sunday.

James M. Sever, 54, is charged with criminal attempt, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of weapons of mass destruction for allegedly placing a bomb underneath his former landlord’s lawnmower, according to court documents.

Sever’s former landlord told state police that an explosion occurred Sunday when he started a lawnmower at a property he owns along Route 22. Hazardous device and explosives officers, FBI, and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officials responded to the scene about 4:30 p.m.

The landlord told police he filled the lawnmower’s tank with gas and started the engine in his garage, letting it idle for about 10 seconds. He told police he pushed the lawnmower’s handles to move the vehicle forward, which prompted the explosion. He jumped off the lawnmower and left the garage, he said.

Troopers found metal shrapnel scattered throughout the garage, as well as threaded pipe, wood, plastic zip ties, nails, screws, wire components and a battery where the mower was located. These items are indicative of an improvised explosive, according to hazardous device and explosives officers.

Nearly seven weeks prior, on June 3, the landlord evicted Sever from his residence, according to court documents. This resulted in a confrontation between Sever and the landlord on June 11, to which state police were called.

Sever told the landlord “you’re going to end up getting yourself hurt over this,” according to court documents. A resident who lived in the building recalled to police that Sever threatened to “blow up” the property manager.

An arrest warrant for Sever was issued by Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio.

By tracking Sever’s phone records, police found his cellphone was near Seanor Drive for about 45 minutes on Saturday evening, the day before the explosion. Seanor Drive is located less than a half mile from the landlord’s garage.

Police also found trails in the grass and wooded area located between Seanor Drive and the landlord’s garage.

Sever’s vehicle, a white Dodge Ram truck, was found near Christopher Road in Salem at the entrance to a state game land. Police searched the vehicle, uncovering zip ties similar to those found in the garage and a set of clothes — a red shirt and dark-colored shorts.

A resident who lives near the landlord’s property told police that Sever, wearing a red shirt and dark blue or black shorts, approached her home Sunday. She described Sever to police as dirty, disheveled, nervous and erratic. She told police Sever asked her about neighbors living on the street and mentioned his eviction.

Sever is known to frequent wooded areas in the Derry and Blairsville areas, according to state police. Anyone who has information on his whereabouts can report it to 911.