A Severna Park bar owner has been charged with possession of explosives after police and fire investigators found several bombs apparently intended for a neighbor's house, police and fire officials said.
David G. Paff, 64, who owns the Earleigh Heights Tavern, was arrested early Saturday at his sister's home in Revell Downs, said fire department spokesman Capt. Gary Sheckells. He posted a $25,000 bond and was released Sunday.
Charging documents show that police received a tip from an informant Thursday that Paff, whose tavern has been at the center of a three-year battle before the county liquor board, intended to use the bomb to destroy a home owned by a man identified as "Mr. Briggs" sometime last weekend.
Gary Briggs, who lives next door to the tavern with his wife, Kenna, and their 19-year-old son, began circulating a petition to close the bar last summer.
Kenna Briggs said police notified her family of the danger Thursday, and they left the house with their cat and dog to spend the night with relatives.
"We were shocked," she said. "I never thought it would happen. He's a quiet man, and I didn't think he would want revenge."
Briggs said she was afraid to say too much about the incident because Paff is free on bond. "Ireally have to thank the person who came forward and went to the police," she said. "It takes a lot to do that."
Other residents of the neighborhood said yesterday that they were surprised to hear of thearrest.
"Oh, my God, we signed that petition," said Catherine Michaels, who lives on Earleigh Heights Road.
"We live about 100 yards from the tavern," said her husband, Tom. "It's kind of scary."
Friday night, police and fire investigators served a search warrant atPaff's home above the tavern and seized a pipe bomb, a pack of firecrackers, a look-a-like pipe bomb, about 14 feet of fuse, nine handguns and 450 rounds of ammunition, authorities said. Sheckells said there were enough explosives to level a medium-size house and kill or maim anyone inside.
Paff is charged with manufacturing, assembling and possessing an explosive device with the intent to terrorize, frighten, intimidate, harass or threaten. If convicted, he could face up to20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
He is also charged with possession of an explosive device, which is punishable by a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Paff could not be reached for comment yesterday.
