Pine Grove Twp. man charged after bomb threats against parents, state police say
A Pine Grove Twp. man is jailed in Schuylkill County Prison after police said that he threatened to set off an explosive in front of his parents.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Matthew J. Zelinsky, 37, of 26 Terrace Hill Road, after a domestic incident Tuesday that culminated in him placing an explosive device near where his parents were sitting, police said.
The defendant’s parents told police that Zelinsky was angry about recent incidents in his life and had been consistently arguing with them.
Police said the defendant walked over to his parents and placed a cylindrical “quarter stick” explosive on a table where they were sitting. He then threatened to light the fuse on the device if his parents did not answer his questions, according to police.
The defendant, who was holding a butane torch lighter, began calling 911, police said, and then gave the phone to his father and told him to call the police.
Zelinsky’s father related the incident to state police, after which the defendant drove from the scene. The defendant’s parents said that they feared for their safety and believed the defendant had taken the explosive with him, police said.
The defendant faces two felony counts of aggravated assault, a misdemeanor count of bomb threats and two misdemeanor counts each of simple assault, reckless endangerment and terroristic threats.
Zelinsky was arraigned at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and jailed in county prison, unable to post $100,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday before District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont.
