Authorities recovered a homemade explosive and an assortment of weapons from a local man after he threatened to kill his girlfriend, her family and her ex-boyfriend.

According to officials, the female victim reported the alleged incident to authorities at about 5:30 p.m. on July 22, telling officers at police headquarters that her boyfriend, James Flanagan, 51, of Salem grabbed and pushed her before making the threats earlier in the day. The victim also reported that Flanagan had “numerous weapons” inside his house and claimed that Flanagan had told her that he would not go back to prison and would not be “taken alive” if she called the police, according to authorities.

After a Salem detective completed an emergency restraining order and arrest warrant for the victim, authorities had her call Flanagan and tell him that his vehicle was parked at a nearby bar. Officers waited until after Flanagan had left his residence on foot to take him into custody.

Police said they discovered the homemade explosive in Flanagan’s home while they were seizing his weapons, which include a .45 caliber Luger pistol, a Samurai sword, an axe and an assortment of knives. According to Capt. Shawn Patten, Flanagan claimed that the explosive – a jar full of flammable material classified as an incendiary device by the New Hampshire State Police Bomb Squad – could take down a house.

Among the weapons seized was a pair of blast knuckles, black plastic knuckles resembling brass knuckles customized to incorporate a Taser, according to officials. Patten said it was the first time his department had ever seen the weapon.

“He was definitely a dangerous person to be making those threats and to have those type of weapons and modified weapons for which the only purpose is to hurt people,” Patten said. “The officers recognizing the seriousness and dangerousness of the situation did a great job with the ruse and getting him out of the house.”

Flanagan has been charged as a felon in possession of a firearm and of dangerous weapons as well as domestic assault and criminal threatening. He was held on a $20,000 cash bail and was expected to be in court for a probable cause hearing on July 29.