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17 Jun, 2016 17:44

Long Island Nazis? Police charge brothers after finding guns, ammo, Hitler photo

Long Island Nazis? Police charge brothers after finding guns, ammo, Hitler photo

A suburban New York man was arrested on weapons charges as Long Island police found several assault rifles, bomb-making instructions, and a collection of Nazi paraphernalia in a home he shared with his brother.

Edward Perkowski, 29, of Mount Sinai, New York, was arrested early Thursday. He faces weapons charges after police confiscated six assault rifles, four rifles, a .40-caliber Glock 22 handgun, 25 high-capacity magazines, one shotgun, one stun gun, 14 knives, and as many as 5,000 rounds of ammunition at the Long Island home he shares with his brother Sean. Police also found nearly $43,000 in cash. 

“This was a public threat on multiple fronts because we have two individuals who clearly subscribe to a hateful violent ideology, who had an illegal arsenal at their fingertips,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini said Thursday. “Today’s search warrant may have prevented a deadly violent incident like the one we recently saw in Orlando.”

Perkowski also faces drug charges, as police confiscated about four ounces of marijuana and about 26 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms. 

Suffolk County police also found a binder filled with details on how to make bombs. In addition to the weapons, money and drugs, the police seized a collection of Nazi paraphernalia – including a framed photo of Adolf Hitler, Nazi flags and reading material.

"We neutralized a clear public threat," Sini said Thursday.

Perkowski was charged with six counts of third degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and fourth degree criminal possession of marijuana, Suffolk police said. 

Sean Perkowski was charged with an unrelated outstanding bench warrant from the nearby town of Babylon. Police indicated the brothers were selling drugs from the home, AP reported.

The brothers were arraigned on Friday. Edward Perkowski's attorney told WCBS that his client has done nothing illegal and will fight the charges.

A friend of Edward Perkowski, who identified himself to WCBS only as Bob, said Perkowski had all the weapons because he ran a military surplus business.

“What the hell are they talking about you’re going to plan some attack? I’ve known them my whole life. They’re not gonna do anything,” he said. “They’re just legitimately good people.”

Neighbors of the brothers, however, described what was often a noisy, rowdy scene at the home.

“Cops must’ve been called here at least 15, 20 times,” said neighbor Larry Bilello. “We never had any problem until those people moved in.”

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