Police have arrested a man they say is responsible for a series of explosions over the past several months in Palmer Township.

Ronald Erney, 57, of Upper Macungie Township — dubbed the “Gruver Bomber” by Palmer police, in reference to the township’s Gruver Avenue — was committed to Northampton County Jail on $50,000 bail after his arrest Friday.

Police said tips from the public and other investigative methods led them to Erney. According to a news release, they served a search warrant at his house and found chemicals used to make explosives, along with fuses, cardboard and PVC tubing and projectiles. Neighbors were evacuated until the residence was deemed safe.

Officers also discovered 10 firearms along with several parts and tools to construct “ghost” guns, which are assembled from kits and have no traceable serial number. Erney is barred from having guns because he is a convicted felon, police said.

Erney was charged in Northampton County with seven counts of possession of explosive or incendiary materials or devices and seven counts of disorderly conduct in relation to execution of the warrant.

Erney was charged in Lehigh County with one count of possessing weapons of mass destruction, one count of possession of explosive or incendiary materials or devices; 10 counts of illegally possessing firearms. Erney will additionally be arraigned in Lehigh County on the Palmer offenses.

This is the second time Erney is accused of having weapons and explosives at his home.  The Attorney General’s Office charged him with similar offenses last year. He was also charged with possessing methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl. That case is awaiting further court action.

Assisting in the investigation and arrest were Upper Macungie Township police, the Allentown and Bethlehem police bomb squads, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown paramedics and the Fogelsville Volunteer Fire Company.

https://www.mcall.com/2025/09/13/palmer-police-bomber-arrest/