Suspected Milford Bomb Maker to Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation

The Milford man arrested last week for allegedly harboring a cache of suspected bomb-making materials has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before his next court date on March 18.

State Superior Court Judge Denise D. Markle ordered the decree to determine if the accused, Derek Meyers of 76 Pond St., is competent to stand trial, according to court documents from the Jan. 21 bail hearing.

The court also ruled that there was enough probable cause to believe a criminal offense had been committed and ordered bail to remain at $250,000.

As of Friday, Meyers was still in police custody at Bridgeport Correctional Center.

‘His behavior wasn’t normal’

Meyers, 28, called police early Sunday, Jan. 19, to report a possible intruder inside his home. Police said they met him outside about 4:35 a.m. He allegedly was holding a handgun, which police seized before checking the house.

“He was acting irrationally,” Milford police spokesman Jeff Nielsen said this week. “His behavior wasn’t normal.”

Police said they didn’t find any intruders or other people inside the home, which abuts the Milford Harbor. Instead, officers found an undisclosed amount of cocaine, a grenade-style canister and materials for making bombs, police said.

“It was enough concern to back out of the home,” Nielsen said. Officers withdrew from the residence, neighbors were evacuated and the State Police bomb squad was called to the scene.

Intent remains unclear

Police said subsequent searches yielded additional hazardous materials, including homemade devices that appeared to be equipped for remote detonation, several explosive powders, smoke bombs and smoke grenades.

Among the powders were potassium nitrate, a constituent of gunpowder, and ammonium nitrate, a component used in some explosives.

What Meyers intended to do with the materials remains unclear, Nielsen said.

“We were fortunate (to discover the materials) before an incident could take place,” he said.

According to an arrest report, Meyers works in sales at Stephen Gould Corp., a worldwide packaging and printing company with an office at 300 Bic Drive in Milford. William Meyers is listed as the manager of the Milford branch.

Investigation ongoing

William and Laureen Meyers own the home at 76 Pond St., property records show. It has an appraised value of $1.1 million and an assessed value of $775,000.

Meyers was charged with the illegal manufacture of bombs (a class B felony), illegal possession of fireworks, illegal possession of explosives, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with concerns or information should call the Milford Police Department’s detective division at 203.877.1465.

Meyers’ attorney Benjamin Gettinger did not return a request for comment. Attempts to reach the Meyers family for comment were also unsuccessful.