BUFORD - Five people were arrested after police discovered a pair of explosive devices during a routine traffic stop on Monday in Buford. It started on North Price Road in Buford, when a policeman stopped the car with four of the suspects inside, and saw what he thought were explosives in the car.
An Explosive Ordinance Disposal team was called to the scene, as well as fire investigators and officials with Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
They were able to determine the devices were active explosives, and the investigation led to one of the suspects' rented homes on Line Street in Buford.
During a search of the basement and detached apartment, officers recovered more items consistent with the materials used to manufacture the two explosives.
A fifth person was found inside the detached apartment of the house when fire investigators and police arrived.
Gwinnett Fire and Emergency spokesman Tommy Rutledge said it could've been bad.
"These weren't your run-of-the-mill explosive devices that we see routinely," said Rutledge. "These were actually made to cause harm."
He said they contained, not only explosives, but also shrapnel.
"These devices posed an extreme threat to the community and we are fortunate to have taken them off the street before someone was severely injured or even killed," said Rutledge.
The driver and three passengers in the vehicle, along with the person inside the house, denied any knowledge of the devices and seemed to point fingers at each other when questioned.
The true intent and motive for the manufacturing and possession of the destructive devices is still unknown at this point.
The suspects are:
--William Dale Parten, 41, from Buford
--Phillip Ray Duncan, 54, from Buford
--Shirley Maddox, 62, from Buford (also charged with an outstanding warrant)
--Michael Brewer, 42, from Winder (also charged with drug offense)
--Matthew Henry Rothove, 44, from Flowery Branch
