New Jersey holiday parade canceled after ‘destructive devices’ found

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — Authorities canceled a New Jersey Labor Day parade that the governor was supposed to attend Monday because “destructive devices” were found near the parade route.

Thomas Kaiser, 55, of South Plainfield, was charged with two counts of possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose, with additional charges expected, Middlesex County prosecutors and local police said.

Authorities said a suspicious package containing a destructive device was left at Donovan’s Reef bar in Sea Bright. That prompted an investigation Sunday that led to Kaiser’s home, and other devices were found near the residence, authorities said.

Since the home is located near the start of the South Plainfield Labor Day parade, the event was canceled “out of an abundance of caution and due to the potential threat to the community,” prosecutors and police said.

Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy had planned to march in the 62nd annual event.

The investigation by county prosecutors and Sea Bright and South Plainfield police also included representatives of the state Homeland Security office and bomb squad as well as the FBI and various K-9 units, authorities said.

NJ.com reported that a woman who answered the phone at Kaiser’s home said the incident involved “fireworks” and had been “blown out of proportion.” A man in the front yard of the suspect’s home who identified himself as his younger brother also said the case involved “one firework” rather than a “bomb.”