Burlington County officials announced that Thomas Locker, 57, of Springfield Township has been charged with illegally manufacturing an assault weapon, along with possessing high-capacity ammunition magazines, silencers and explosive devices.
A man who lived with Locker at his residence, Alexander Kovalik, 72, was also charged in connection to this crime.
The investigation revealed that Locker had manufactured the main components of an AR-15 assault rifle in his home.
The execution of a search warrant at his residence resulted in the seizure of numerous firearms, some without serial numbers, along with prohibited devices such as silencers and extended magazines, and tools and equipment to manufacture and modify firearms and explosives.
Three explosive devices, believed to be manufactured by Locker, were also seized.
“Gun violence has been a major problem throughout the country this summer, and it will not be tolerated here in Burlington County,” County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. “A lot of firepower was seized as a result of this investigation. We have taken these dangerous weapons out of circulation where they could have caused substantial harm to the public.”
Locker is being held in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court. Kovalik was released.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.