NORTH ANDOVER — What began as a report of fireworks hitting a car led to the seizure of homemade explosives and dozens of illegally possessed weapons from a local man’s home on Tuesday.
Daniel Medina, 64, of 59 Village Green Drive entered not guilty pleas to criminal charges when he was arraigned Wednesday on three felony counts tied to possession of firearms and being a felon in possession of firearms. Police began investigating Medina after looking into a report of an explosion in his neighborhood early Monday morning, according to a police report.
Medina told police he is not a violent person and the explosives were a hobby. He is also being charged with felony level vandalizing property and two misdemeanor firearm charges.
A neighbor told North Andover police officer Tyler Thomas they heard a loud bang and saw a male running, according to a police report. With the neighbor’s help, police found a Subaru Outback belonging to another resident with a “crater” in the rear passenger door. Another nearby vehicle was also damaged.
Another neighbor told police Medina was running from the area of the damaged vehicles in his white underwear. Police went to Medina’s home in an attempt to contact him, but had no success. Dispatchers, however, reached Medina who said “he was in bed and would not come to speak with us.”
During another inspection of the damaged vehicles police found a piece of paper which appeared to have “some sort of brown powder residue” on it. The paper smelled like fireworks and was determined to be a piece of Medina’s mail with his name and address on it.
When asked again about the incident Medina denied involvement and told police he had been lying in bed in his underwear, heard an explosion, got up and then went back to bed, according to the report.
At this point officers informed Medina he would be summoned to Lawrence District Court on charges of defacing and damaging property.
Later, a neighbor reported to police seeing Medina use white spray paint to “spray over the damage” on one of the vehicles.
Due to the potential for homemade explosives and Medina’s criminal history, police obtained a warrant for Medina’s home, according to the report. In the 1990s, Medina was arrested for having half and quarter sticks of dynamite. He had also been previously charged with offenses related to fireworks and explosive devices.
According to the report, this was also not the first time explosions have been heard in the neighborhood.
Before entering Medina’s home, North Andover police met up with Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, which joined the operation. Before the search, surrounding neighbors were asked to leave their homes for safety.
At 12:23 p.m., Tuesday, police used a loudspeaker to call Medina to come to the door and inform him of their search warrant. Authorities had also brought a BearCat, armored tactical vehicle, to the front of his home.
About seven minutes later, Medina left his home and was arrested for defacing and damaging property. After the state police bomb squad cleared the building, local police began searching the home. The bomb squad had already found homemade explosives and ingredients to make more.
Police also found illegal firearms including a homemade, according to Medina, Barrett .50-caliber rifle.
In total, police found 33 guns in Medina’s house, only 12 of which had serial numbers. Medina’s license to carry weapons expired in 2000. The weapons were also not properly secure, according to police.
With help from ATF agents, police determined Medina had been crafting weapons himself by buying parts online.
Police recovered nine firearms described as “black assault rifles,” eight carbine rifles and 16 pistols. Some of the seized weapons were automatic.
Sixty magazines, including 32 with high capacity over 10 rounds, were also taken.
Police also found psychedelic mushrooms, which Medina said in an interview with police are for his anxiety.
According to the report, Medina will likely face more charges related to the weapons.
In an interview with North Andover Detective Michael Gilligan, Medina confirmed that he had made “most” of the guns as well as the explosives. According to a report by Gilligan, Medina said that he builds them as a hobby, adding that it is just “the pyrotechnic in him.”
“We are thankful for the hard work of the officers and assisting agencies involved in this case,” North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray said in a press release from the Essex District Attorney’s office.
“We also appreciate the citizens of North Andover who, despite inconveniences, allowed this investigation to take place without interruption.”
Medina was arraigned in Lawrence District Court on Wednesday afternoon and is being held without bail.
“Anyone who is under the impression that they will not face consequences for illegally stockpiling weapons without a license is absolutely wrong,” Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said. “We will continue to prosecute in such cases in order to keep our communities safe.”
On Tuesday night, the state police Bomb Squad detonated explosives on the playing fields on Sharpners Pond Road in North Andover after clearing the fields. North Andover officials, however, have not confirmed the explosives detonated Tuesday evening were those found at Medina’s home.
A Smart 911 call was also sent to residents regarding the work.
A dangerousness hearing has been scheduled for July 12.
Medina was represented at the arraignment by public defender Dawnangela Minton.
This report was contributed to by Jill Harmacinski.