Many pipe bombs found in suburban NY apartment after residents reported loud noises for weeks

Major Explosives Discovery in White Plains Apartment

On Monday morning, police made a startling find in a White Plains apartment: more than 20 pipe bombs. This discovery came as authorities investigated a series of mysterious loud noises that had been unsettling neighbors for weeks.

Raymond Elders, a 65-year-old resident, was arrested and faces multiple charges, including using a weapon of mass destruction. Inside his apartment on Odell Street, police located 25 completed pipe bombs along with various materials used for making explosives.

Authorities had initially been called out after a likely transformer explosion, which had sent a shockwave through the neighborhood around 4:30 a.m. This noise was something residents had become unnervingly accustomed to hearing in recent weeks.

An explosive device was found near the door of Elders’ apartment, prompting police to take swift action. As they arrived, they ordered nearby residents to shelter in place for safety.

Reports suggest that Elders had black and blue residues on his hands and was holding a lighter at the time of his arrest. Surveillance footage seemed to show him setting off devices and running away after an explosion, with a hooded sweatshirt pulled over his face.

Authorities believe that the stockpile of explosives may be linked to disputes he had with neighbors, although a definitive motive has not yet been disclosed.

During a court appearance, prosecutors described his actions as “the height of recklessness,” emphasizing that carrying concealed explosives posed a danger not just to him but to the public as well. Elders’ defense attorney mentioned that he struggles with addiction issues. In the end, a judge decided to keep him in federal custody without bail.

Meanwhile, nearby resident Yulissa Severino shared her own experiences, noting that she often heard loud sounds at night, akin to explosions. “Sometimes, I thought someone was going to blow up the block. It was so loud, it was like an experiment,” she commented. “With all that’s happening in the world, it feels intense.”

Another individual who had been detained is now considered a witness, according to reports.

White Plains Public Safety Director Wade Hardy reassured residents that their safety is a top priority. He confirmed that no explosives were found on the first floor of the apartment building where the incident took place, ensuring that the neighborhood is secure.