Maryland man charged for possession of homemade explosive device and ammunition

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - A Maryland man has been charged for the possession of an explosive device and the illegal possession of ammunition in Prince George's County.

43-year-old Robert Criss of Capitol Heights, Maryland is being held on no-bond. 

Prince George’s County Police and Prince George’s County Office of the Fire Marshal Bomb Squad responded to a storage facility in the 4400 block of Suitland Road on March 12, around 5:35 p.m. 

Police say an employee called 911 after a suspicious device was located in a storage unit that had been rented by Criss. The homemade explosive device, which was determined to be a pipe bomb, was rendered safe by the PGFD Bomb Squad. 

After a search of the unit, police discovered ballistic-resistant body armor and a variety of ammunition. Criss is prohibited from possessing ammunition due to a previous criminal conviction. PGPD patrol officers arrested Criss when he returned to the storage facility on March 13, 2025.

This remains an open and active investigation.