A Schuylkill County man allegedly admitted to tossing a quarter-stick firework from his pickup truck, causing an explosion that shattered a residential window last month.
Police in Shenandoah say Thomas Salvadore, 51, admitted he dropped the explosive device because he was just trying to have fun.
On Jan. 10, shortly before 10 p.m., police say they responded to the 400 block of W. Atlantic St. after a resident reported a loud explosion that filled the street with smoke. The caller, police say, was severely frightened and preparing for self-defense. She provided police at the scene with security footage showing the incident unfold.
The video, according to police, depicted a dark-colored pickup truck traveling westbound. The driver – later identified as Salvadore – dropped a device out of the driver’s side window, which then exploded and smashed a window above the front door of a nearby residence. The tenants of the damaged property were not home at the time of the incident.
Police say the footage was zoomed in, showing a male driver wearing a bright yellow hoodie. Salvadore and his truck were recognized by police and they went to his home on the 900 block of W. Coal St. There, police observed a dark-colored Ford pickup truck matching the vehicle in the video.
During questioning, Salvadore allegedly admitted to driving the truck and dropping the firework. When police told Salvadore that his action smashed a window, he began apologizing and offered to pay for the damages. He also allegedly admitted that he never should have dropped the quarter-stick in the borough.
Police say they received an estimate for the damages caused by the explosion at $500. Salvadore has been charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief and a summary count of disorderly conduct.
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