Manchester man held on explosives charges talked of 'Armageddon'
By Jonathan Phelps
Staff Writer
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_041145041.html
MANCHESTER — A Manchester man who told police he was preparing for "Armageddon" has been hit with a series of weapons charges for having explosive hand grenade "devices" and a stockpile of other weapons and ammunition in his Bridge Street condominium — and illegal indoor shooting range in the attic.
Gregory Girard, 45, was arrested at 11:22 last night after the Police Department received a report from the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau in Boston that Girard had explosive hand-grenade devices along with a cache of others.
Girard was charged with four counts of possession of grenade type explosive devices and four counts of possession of a dangerous weapons. He had two police fixed batons and two police expandable batons.
Also found in the home were approximately 20 weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition for which Girard was licensed, according to police. Police also discovered the indoor illegal shooting range in the attic.
He was held at the Manchester Police Department overnight and was transported to Salem District Court this morning for arraignment.
"Mr. Girard indicated he was preparing for "Armageddon" which he felt was imminent," Police Chief Glenn McKiel said in a prepared statement. Girard also felt that Martial Law "would soon be imposed," McKiel said.
Girard's license to carry firearms was revoked and all of the weapons and ammunition were seized by police.
The Manchester Police were assisted by the Cape Ann Regional Response Tactical Unit, The Massachusetts State Police Tactical Unit, Explosive Devices Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, K-9 unit, and agents of the ATF Boston Field Office.
Girard reportedly had no criminal record, and was not known to police, McKiel's statement indicated.
We will update this story here at gloucestertimes.com as more information becomes available. For full coverage, look to tomorrow's print and online editions of the Gloucester Daily Times and gloucesterttimes.com.