ASHEBORO N.C. – The Bomb Squad was called to the Randleman / Level Cross area yesterday after police found several pipe bombs.
According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriffs Office, on August 9th, 2022, at approximately 3:12 pm, a citizen near the 400 block of Providence Church Rd., in Randleman called Randolph County 911 after finding what they believed to be pipe bombs.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area were able to confirm the devices “to be consistent with the construction of explosive material” after viewing photos taken by the citizen.
Nearby residents were asked to evacuate and the Greensboro Police Department’s Hazardous Devices Team (Bomb Squad) was requested to assist. NC DOT staff arrived to placed barricades to block the section of Providence Church Rd.
The Bomb Squad arrived on the scene around 4:50 pm and took control of the incident. Reports say that they were able to locate what the press release called two “viable” devices as well as five other “partially constructed” devices. Bomb Squad Technicians destroyed the viable devices and rendered safe the remaining devices.
Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Deputies provided scene security and continued to assist with traffic in the area. Upon completion, the GPD Bomb Squad declared the area safe for neighboring residents to return home.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says their Criminal Investigations Division along with the ATF were also on scene to conduct an investigation, which is still ongoing.
In an update this afternoon the Sheriff’s office says the caller identified the person who was responsible for the devices as 30-year-old Joshua Tyler Yehl, who was confined in Bladen County Detention Center on non-related charges at the time of discovery. Homeland Security has been notified.
UPDATE (Sept 2nd 2022) – On August 31, 2022, following the investigation, a warrant was issued for Yehl for felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction.
He was transported from Bladen County to Randolph County and taken before the magistrate where the warrant was served and he was issued a $100,000 secured bond and a first appearance was set for September 2, 2022, in Randolph County District Court.
Joshua Tyler Yehl
- Felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction
$100,000 secured bond