Man Charged With Manufacturing Explosive Devices After Home Invasion; Assaulting Family
FREDERICK COUNTY, MD (August 17, 2022) - A joint investigation by the Brunswick Police Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal has resulted in the arrest of Dominic M. Valenti, 25, after Brunswick police officers found two improvised explosive devices in a backpack he was wearing.
Just before 5:30 a.m. on August 7, 2022, the Brunswick Police Department responded to the 100 block of West C Street after Valenti forced his way into a family member's home and threatened to kill them. Valenti held a machete to one of the occupant's throat and pretended to stab the person with a steak knife without actually doing so. Police officers arrested Valenti and located possible improvised explosive devices during their search of his property, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad was requested.
Bomb Technicians performed diagnostics on the devices and determined it was necessary to perform render-safe procedures on the devices at the scene. Valenti was later taken to a local hospital for an emergency evaluation.
"The quick recognition of the potential hazard with these devices by Brunswick Police and their decision to immediately contact us was absolutely appropriate in this incident," stated State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci. "This serves as a positive reminder to all members of the public of the National message, "See Something, Say Something."
Upon his release from Frederick Health Hospital, Valenti was charged with manufacturing and possessing a destructive device, home invasion, three counts of second-degree assault, third-degree burglary, first-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.
Valenti is currently being held without bond at Frederick County Detention Center.
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Dominic M. VALENTI
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
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