A laid off construction worker left a backpack near Manhattan’s federal court with an explosive device inside, law enforcement officials said Thursday. Investigators said the device was made up of two bottles that contained a “low explosive mixture.”

U.S. Marshals and FBI agents arrested Denis Nekrasov, 28, for allegedly leaving the explosive along Pearl Street near the U.S. District Courthouse and the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Officials said the incident does not appear to be terror related.

Court papers filed by U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said Nekrasov is a homeless immigrant from Kyrgyzstan who had past training in math, physics and mechanical engineering. Prosecutors said Nekrasov saved explosive powder from construction sites with the hopes of making his own gun or weapon. Investigators said he was en route to 1 Police Plaza to apply for a permit to make his guns. He allegedly decided to leave his backpack near the courthouse rather than try to take it through NYPD security.

It was an officer on patrol who soon noticed Nekrasov and the nearby backpack. “An alert BOP (Bureau of Prisons) official discovered the man retrieving his backpack,” said U.S. Marshal Joseph Guccione. “He was arrested without incident.”

Investigators said when asked what was in the bag, Nekrasov said he had a device with explosive powder and that he hoped to build his own gun.

Nekrasov was charged with receiving and transporting explosive materials.

(WNBC.com)