Joseph Michael Lazarus is facing multiple charges. Courtesy | Jailtracker 

The Michigan State Police arrested a man found with suspected explosives in Hillsdale Township April 9.

“He was in the car when they had taken him to custody, and then that search of his vehicle identified the explosive device,” said MSP Lt. Rene Gonzales. 

MSP officers arrested 26-year-old Joseph Michael Lazarus at 1 p.m., according to the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office. Officers were preparing to search his room at the Baw Beese Inn on M-99 south of Hillsdale and arrest him on a felony warrant from Jackson County, according to a press release, when they found him in his car with a suspected explosive device. 

Gonzales said officers called the MSP Bomb Squad to the scene, which investigated the device. The Hillsdale Township Fire Department helped the MSP at the scene, according to the press release. 

“Our bomb squad came out and they took the item,” Gonzales said. 

Officers did not know what the suspect was planning to do with the explosive, according to Gonzales.

Prosecutors are charging Lazarus with possession of an explosive device, according to Hillsdale County Prosecutor Neal Brady. He also faces charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and a felony firearm charge, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Lazarus is currently detained in the Hillsdale County Jail. Brady said a probable cause conference is scheduled for April 17 at 10:30 a.m. in the 2B District Court.