Resident Arrested in Mass.

Nicholas Barnett, 19, a student at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., was arrested Dec. 9 by the Norton Police Department. The Simsbury resident is being charged with: throwing, secreting, launching or placing an incendiary device; disorderly person; disturbing the peace and attempting to commit a crime with malicious destruction of property of more than $250.

The most serious crime Barnett is charged with, placing an incendiary device, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in the state prison.

On Dec. 7 at 1pm, Norton Police and Fire departments responded to Wheaton College for a suspicious device. Wheaton Public Safety informed responders that a suspicious device was located underneath a walking bridge over a pond. The pond and bridge are located a short distance from East Main Street at the front of the college. Wheaton Public Safety informed responders that two students observed the device and reported it to them.

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad and the State Fire Marshall's Office were notified and responded to the scene. Two Wheaton academic buildings and a dining hall close to the scene were evacuated. The Bomb Squad removed the device from under the bridge and transported it off campus to analyze it.

Norton Police received information during the course of the investigation that led to Barnett. The device was a homemade incendiary device designed to cause smoke and fire.

Barnett was held at the Norton Police Department on $50,000 cash bail. He was arraigned in the Attleboro District Court on Dec. 10 and was released from court on $25,000 cash bail.

According to Lt. Todd M. Jackson, Barnett stated that his intention was not to harm anyone. His intention was to cause annoyance or alarm. 

"The device itself could have harmed someone close to it if it was detonated, however the ignition source was cut off before that could occur," he said in an e-mail. 

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad at the Norton Police Department outdoor firing range destroyed the device where it burst into flames.

Barnett has never been previously arrested by the Norton Police Department.