On August 9, 2022, at approximately 3:12 pm, a citizen, who felt like they had located suspected pipe bombs, contacted Randolph County 911 Communications. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 400 block of Providence Church Rd., Randleman, where the reporting person provided the name of Joshua Tyler Yehl, 30, as the person responsible for the devices. Yehl was confined in Bladen County Detention Center on non-related charges at the time of discovery.
Upon arrival they were able to observe pictures taken by the citizen and were able to confirm by multiple sources that recognized them to be consistent with the construction of explosive material. For the public’s safety, area residents were asked to evacuate to a nearby safe zone. The Greensboro Police Department Bomb Squad was requested to assist. NC DOT staff arrived on scene and placed barricades to block the section of Providence Church Rd., Randleman.
Greensboro Bomb Squad arrived on the scene around 4:50 pm and briefed on the building containing the suspected pipe bombs, the best access route, and where the items were reported to be inside the structure. The scene was then turned over to them. Randolph County Sheriff's Office Deputies provided scene security and continued to assist with traffic in the area.
Upon completion, the GPD Bomb Squad reported locating two viable devices and five others were partially constructed. They destroyed any viable devices and rendered the area safe for neighboring residents, who had vacated, to return home. The roadway was opened. ATF and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division were also on scene and assisted in this investigation. Homeland Security was notified.
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.
Name of Defendant:
Joshua Tyler Yehl,
Age: 30