May 21, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
A father and son from Catasauqua face charges for allegedly throwing an explosive device from a car on Tuesday near a church, according to a statement from law enforcement.
Matthew Pletz, 56, is in custody, while his son Jack Pletz, 24, was not in custody as of early Thursday afternoon, according to the press statement from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan, Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Commanding Officer Seth Kelly and Catasauqua Police Chief John Wiseman.
The device went off about 1/2 block from Salem United Church of Christ at 615 3rd St., Catasauqua. Nobody was injured. The church was being used as a polling place at the time of the explosion, but as of now “No information exists to cause investigators to believe this incident was related to the polling location.”
Voting continued at the church.
The device was “a red tubular cardboard fragment with melted red end caps and was consistent with a “M-type” explosive device,” according to the press release.
The two men face charges including Conspiracy to Commit Weapons of Mass Destruction – Unlawful Possession or Manufacture and Conspiracy to Commit Risking a Catastrophe; and misdemeanor charges of Conspiracy to Carrying Explosives on Conveyances, as well as Conspiracy to Make Offensive Weapons, Conspiracy to Possession of Prohibited Offensive Weapons.
Matthew Pletz is in Lehigh County Jail with bail set at $50,000, the statement said.
Holihan notes: As in every criminal case, the fact that arrests have occurred or complaints have been filed are merely accusations; and the accused, Jack Pletz and Matthew David Pletz, are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan:
May 21, 2026
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan, Capt. Seth J. Kelly, Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Commanding Officer and Catasauqua Borough Police Chief John Wiseman announce charges in an incident on Election Day involving an explosive device thrown from a moving vehicle near a church used as a polling location.
A father and son are both charged in this incident that occurred around 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, May19, 2026 near the Salem United Church of Christ at 615 3rd St., Catasauqua.
No one was injured in this occurrence. At the time of the explosion, the church was being used as a polling location for the primary elections for State and Federal offices.
Pennsylvania State Police determined the explosive device had been detonated about ½ block from the polling entrance. No information exists to cause investigators to believe this incident was related to the polling location. Residents who vote at that polling place were still able to cast their ballots at the church.
This incident remains under investigation.
Jack Pletz, DOB 12/16/2001, and Matthew David Pletz, DOB 7/1/1969, both of Catasauqua, are charged with felony counts of Conspiracy to Commit Weapons of Mass Destruction – Unlawful Possession or Manufacture and Conspiracy to Commit Risking a Catastrophe; and misdemeanor charges of Conspiracy to Carrying Explosives on Conveyances, as well as Conspiracy to Make Offensive Weapons, Conspiracy to Possession of Prohibited Offensive Weapons.
Matthew Pletz was arrested on the evening of May 19, 2026 and is in Lehigh County Jail on $50,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. May 26 before Magisterial District Judge Michael D’Amore.
At the time this news release is being issued, Jack Pletz is not yet in custody, but an arrest warrant has been issued. We are asking for the community’s help to locate him.
On May 19, 2026, Pennsylvania State Police were called to the area of the Salem United Church of Christ for reports of an explosive device that had been detonated. At the time, the church was being used as a polling location.
First responders found remnants of an explosive device at the intersection of Walnut and 3rd streets.
The explosive device was determined to be a red tubular cardboard fragment with melted red end
caps and was consistent with a “M-type” explosive device.
Investigators found video surveillance from a nearby location that showed a green 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck traveling north on 3rd Street toward the intersection of Walnut Street. The truck driver was identified as Jack Pletz.
Shortly after the truck stopped at the intersection, the engine revved and the truck continued north. Just after 9:10 a.m., a loud explosion was heard in the area where the truck was driving.
The pickup truck was then located stopping at the home where both Jack and Matthew Pletz lived in the 200 block of Pine Street, just a few blocks from where the explosion occurred.
The investigation revealed that Matthew Pletz was seated inside the passenger area of the truck at the time of the explosion.
Several witnesses identified the men as Jack and Matthew Pletz. Police also interviewed the driver of a vehicle that passed in the area just seconds after the explosion.
A search warrant was obtained and inside the pickup truck, investigators found 17 homemade illegal M-type explosive devices and one plastic-encased explosive device filler.
Throughout this investigation, Holihan said there was consistent communication between all levels of government and law enforcement officials. That included local, state, county and federal law enforcement officials as well as Lehigh County administration and county election officials.
All of these agencies and officials worked together to share information and make sure that residents voting all across Lehigh County were kept safe and able to cast their ballots on Election Day.
Other law enforcement agencies assisting in this investigation include the Pennsylvania State Police Hazardous Devices and Explosives Section, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Catasauqua Borough Police, the Allentown Bomb Squad, Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Fire Marshal Unit, and North Catasauqua Borough Police.
This case is being investigated by Troopers Ryan Ziegler and Matthew Brennan and will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara A. Moyer.
As in every criminal case, the fact that arrests have occurred or complaints have been filed are merely accusations; and the accused, Jack Pletz and Matthew David Pletz, are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 