Suspect ID’d after suspicious device removed from near Manhattan NYPD precinct

EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) – The NYPD identified a suspect after a suspicious device was found outside of a Manhattan police precinct Wednesday.

Chontrell Wrenick, 50, was charged with criminal possession of a possible explosive device, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a bomb.

A car with two men, who were cousins, pulled up to the 25th Precinct on East 119th Street in East Harlem around 11:50 a.m., according to authorities. The driver got out and accused the passenger, Wrenick, of assaulting him with a machete, police said.

The victim told police officers where to find the machete, which they found. Wrenick was then taken into police custody, according to authorities.

The victim then told police officers about a potentially explosive device inside the car, authorities said. The NYPD Bomb Squad responded to the scene and removed the suspicious device around 3 p.m., per police.

“The device is a potentially viable improvised explosive device based on its outside appearance,” NYPD Lt. Mark Torre said during a news conference. “A pipe-bomb-type device that is relatively large.”

Wrenick is also facing charges for allegedly assaulting his cousin, according to authorities. He was charged with assault with a weapon causing physical injury and criminal possession of a weapon.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018 . She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here .

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