Officials find 13 homemade bombs after North Georgia traffic stop

Two people were arrested after 13 homemade bombs were found in a northwest Georgia city.

Two people were arrested after 13 homemade bombs were found in a northwest Georgia city.

Two people were arrested in northwest Georgia after officials found 13 homemade bombs in a truck and a house, the GBI said.

A Georgia State Patrol traffic stop about 7 p.m. Monday in Dade County led to finding the devices, according to GBI agent Greg Ramey.

During the stop on Main Street in Trenton, the trooper found three homemade explosive devices inside a Ford Ranger, authorities said. The GBI, the Dade County Sheriff’s Office and the Trenton Police Department were brought in.

The truck driver was identified as Robert C. York, 56, and the passenger was Teshina R. Bates, 36, both of Trenton.

A search warrant was obtained for York’s residence, and 10 more homemade bombs were found inside, Ramey said. The bombs were taken to a secure location and destroyed.

Ramey said Thursday the suspects “were not associated with a terrorist group.”

“(York) had ill intent, but it was not directed at any particular group or church,” he said.

Ramey was not more specific, citing the ongoing investigation.

York and Bates were charged with 13 counts of possessing, transporting and receiving explosives or destructive devices with intent to kill, injure or intimidate individuals or destroy public buildings, officials said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI at 706-624-1424, the Dade County Sheriff’s Office at 706-657-3233, or Trenton police at 706-657-4167.

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