Man arrested in Cadillac Ranch assault accused of throwing explosive into victim’s motorcycle shop days later
by: Lauren Drapeau WTNH July 24, 2026
https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/hartford/man-arrested-in-cadillac-ranch-assault-accused-of-throwing-explosive-into-victims-motorcycle-shop-days-later/
GRISWOLD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Derby man was arrested Thursday for allegedly throwing an explosive device through the window of a Griswold motorcycle shop days after he and the owner of the shop were involved in an assault at Cadillac Ranch in Southington, according to a warrant from state police.
State police said that Kevin Lawlor, 48, had allegedly thrown a homemade device through the window of a motorcycle shop at 8 p.m. on July 17.
Surveillance footage from inside the shop shows the device igniting and a person running away from the broken garage bay window. There was a bright explosion, and smoke and dust immediately filled the interior of the building, according to the warrant.
Neighbors described what the suspect was wearing to the police, and that two people were in a car driving away from the scene with a paper bag covering the license plate. The suspect was allegedly seen getting into the passenger’s side door after the incident
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According to the warrant, the device that was used is an M-class explosive device which is illegal in Connecticut. These types of devices are usually made out of a tube or cardboard and are filled with a flash powder.
The motorcycle shop owner had been involved in a fight with members of a motorcycle club in Southington on July 15, according to the arrest warrant. His gun was used to shoot a member of the motorcycle club during the fight, however police did not specify who shot the gun. The motorcycle shop owner then subsequently became the victim of an assault following the discharge of his gun, according to police.
As previously reported by News 8, detectives identified the Diablos Motorcycle Club as being involved in the Cadillac Ranch assault and shooting incident.
One person, allegedly in the Diablos Motorcycle Club, was shot in the chest when the assault occurred at Cadillac Ranch, and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The owner of the Griswold motorcycle shop was also found by police at the scene with apparent injuries.
An investigation found that the shop owner had gotten into an argument with one of the alleged members of the Diablos Motorcycle Club, which resulted in a fight that left the Diablos member shot, according to information from the arrest warrant. Members of the motorcycle club then allegedly assaulted the shop owner in retaliation for their member being shot, which resulted in their arrests.
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