A Norwood man was arrested for allegedly aiding the ISIS terror network from his home in Knox Place.

The FBI swept into the sleepy Bronx neighborhood on May 24 to arrest Sajmir Alimehmeti, 22, for numerous terror-related charges. The authorities said Alimehmeti had a cache of weapons, including nunchucks inside his sixth floor apartment at 3464 Knox Pl.

The area bursts with patriotism. American flags hoisted prominently along pre-war buildings surround the neighborhood. In the building in which Alimehmeti lived, pro U.S. military stickers can be found on the front doors of some units.

“Alimehmeti is charged today with actions that show a clear intention to support a terrorist organization that is hell-bent on murder and mayhem, “said U.S Attorney Preet Bharara.

Neighbors described Alimehmeti as a typical resident growing up in the neighborhood with his parents until a few years ago when he converted to Islam, later wearing traditional Muslim garb. A regular at a local mosque on DeKalb Avenue, Alimehmeti eventually drifted to a quieter state, though he remained friendly with residents who knew him, according to neighbors.

“I knew him since he was a little kid, since [his family] first moved here. It shocked me that he took a turn like that,” said Edward Ayala, a 20-year resident who lives directly below Alimehmeti.

Luis Rodriguez, a resident living on the same floor as Alimehmeti, said his neighbor’s transition was dramatic. “I thought he became more religious because he wanted to stay out of trouble and be more to himself,” said Rodriguez. “The change was crazy.”

Alimehmeti’s involvement with ISIS is suspected to have stretched back to 2014, when he tried to enter Syria. His plans were halted by the authorities in the United Kingdom twice in 2014 after finding suspicious images of ISIS flags and bombing attacks on his cell phone. A forensic examination of the cellular images indicated a support for ISIS. These pictures include a gesture in support of ISIS and a number of audio files relating to jihad and martyrdom, according to authorities.

Ordered back to the U.S., Alimehmeti remained low-key, but in the crosshairs of undercover agents. At his Knox Place home, Alimehmeti had tried to get an undercover agent to go to Syria. A few weeks ago he had asked neighbors for their WiFi passwords for unexplained reasons. He also took up weightlifting, grunting and bench pressing at his home loud enough for Ayala to hear.

“He made a statement that he would exercise to stay in shape for the cause,” said Ayala. For Ayala, the thought of Alimehmeti creating a bomb inside his apartment crossed his mind. “Let’s say one day you screw up–my girlfriend is spending the night and we’re here–then boom, we’re gone,” said Ayala.