ASHEBORO, N.C. — A man has been arrested and charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction after authorities discovered multiple pipe bombs in the Randleman area, police said.
On Aug. 9, 2022, at approximately 3:12 p.m., a resident near the 400 block of Providence Church Road in Randleman called Randolph County 911 after finding what appeared to be pipe bombs. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded and confirmed the devices were consistent with explosive material after reviewing photos.
Nearby residents were evacuated and the Greensboro Police Department’s Hazardous Devices Team was requested to assist. The North Carolina Department of Transportation placed barricades on Providence Church Road.
The Bomb Squad arrived at approximately 4:50 p.m. and took control of the incident. Technicians located two “viable” explosive devices and five “partially constructed” devices. They destroyed the operational devices and rendered the remaining devices safe.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the ATF also responded to investigate.
The caller identified Joshua Tyler Yehl, 30, as the person responsible for the devices. At the time of discovery, Yehl was confined in the Bladen County Detention Center on unrelated charges. Homeland Security was notified.
On Aug. 31, 2022, following the investigation, a warrant was issued for Yehl for felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction. He was transported to Randolph County and served the warrant before a magistrate.
Yehl is being held on a $100,000 secured bond. A first appearance was set for Sept. 2, 2022, in Randolph County District Court.
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