Englewood police on Monday neutralized a pipe bomb that was found at a home associated with two men who were already facing criminal charges for possessing explosives, according to a news release.
A resident of the home at 4945 block of South Delaware Street discovered the pipe bomb at about 1:40 p.m. Monday, outside the home near an air conditioning unit. That resident called police, who responded, evacuated the immediate area and then neutralized the bomb, which they said was a "viable explosive device."
The purpose of the explosive was not clear Tuesday, but Englewood Sgt. Ed Disner said in an email that the device had not been ignited, "so we don't believe it was intended to do any harm." The home sits across the street from a high school.
"We do not believe there is a current danger to the community," Disner said.
The pipe bomb was discovered days after two men admitted to making explosives at the home, according to police. The men, Michael Lubotsky and Brian Gessing, both 50, were arrested Thursday after police then responded to reports of a possible explosion at the house and discovered the two men there.
They "admitted to making explosives in the garage," according to the news release. Both men were charged with possessing explosives, a felony. Gessing was also charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, court records show.
Lubotsky was released from jail on a $5,000 bond and was free on Monday, when the pipe bomb was found, while Gessing was held in custody and was still in jail.
Disner said Lubotsky was "associated with the residence" on South Delaware Street, but that police don't know where he lives. Officers used his association with the address to obtain a search warrant for the home after discovering the pipe bomb.
Gessing has a history of run-ins with police, court records show. He was charged in March with possessing fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, and was arrested in February on drug, harassment and trespassing charges. Both cases are pending. Gessing has also previously been convicted of trespassing, introducing contraband to a detention facility and possessing a controlled substance, among other charges.
Lobotsky pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer in 2012, a misdemeanor, and has a more limited criminal history than Gessing, court records show.
Police said officers also responded to the single-family home on Tuesday and found that a "large firework" had been set off in the backyard.
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