After an investigation involving police detectives from three towns plus the Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s Office, Bristol Police arrested two men for detonating homemade “sparkler bombs” throughout Bristol County in recent weeks. The bombs were relatively harmless, but numerous residents in Barrington, Warren and Bristol had reported hearing loud explosions in their neighborhoods recently.

On Wednesday, Dec. 19, Bristol Police arrested William Duckworth, age 43, and Nathan Andrade, age 26, both of Bristol, and charged them both with two felony counts of Placing of Explosive Devices and Conspiracy. On the same day, Mr. Duckworth was charged by Barrington Police with one felony count of Placing of Explosive Devices.

During the past several weeks, police in Bristol, Barrington and Warren received reports of loud explosions in their communities. The reports were all investigated by police, and many were found to be unconfirmed. However, while investigating, at least one detonated device, determined to be a “sparkler bomb,” was recovered in each community. The devices were collected and analyzed by technicians from the Rhode Island Bomb Squad and determined to be small oblong, cylindrical devices containing sparklers wrapped in electrical tape.

Investigators from the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office, Bristol Police, Barrington Police and Warren Police began a collaborated investigation. During the initial phases of the investigation, Detective Adam Clifford of the Bristol Police Department developed evidence leading to Mr. Duckworth and Mr. Andrade being identified as primary suspects. As the joint investigation continued, Deputy Bruce Quinn of the Rhode Island Fire Marshal Bomb Squad and Detective Timothy Oser of the Barrington Police Department developed further evidence and information solidifying the pair as suspects.

Bristol Police and Barrington Police applied for and were granted arrest warrants for both men, and Bristol Police also were granted a court authorized search warrant for Mr. Duckworth’s vehicle. At the time of their arrest, Mr. Duckworth and Mr. Andrade consented to a search of their residences. They did not find any additional “sparkler bombs” or associated material.

After being taken into custody without incident, Mr. Duckworth and Mr. Andrade were taken to the Bristol station and brought before a bail commissioner. Each was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and is scheduled to appear in District Court for a pre-arraignment conference on Feb. 20.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and further charges may be forthcoming.