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Worcester Police Deparment

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WPD Officers Arrest Male for Throwing Explosive Devices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/2/2025 2:41 pm

On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at approximately 11:36 AM, Worcester Police Officers were dispatched to reports of explosions on Catharine Street. 

Upon arrival, officers heard a loud explosive sound coming from the property and there was smoke filling the street. A resident told officers that a male had been lighting half sticks of dynamite and throwing them out of a window. 

Officers entered the suspect’s residence and discovered several large, red explosive sticks. Sixty-two-year-old Richard Dupre was placed under arrest and was charged with throwing or placing an incendiary device, discharging or exploding an incendiary device, vandalism, disturbing the peace and possession of an incendiary device.

The WPD Crime Scene Unit and State Police Bomb Squad were requested due to the size of the devices. The Bomb Squad confirmed that these were incendiary devices, and they were taken for a controlled detonation. No one was injured.