On New Year's Day, a driver wearing a ski mask was caught with homemade explosives at a 7-Eleven store: police.

Jordan Alexander Sweetman displayed indications of psychological distress, according to Virginia police.

On New Year's Day, a driver wearing a ski mask was caught with homemade explosives at a 7-Eleven store: police.
On New Year's Day, a driver wearing a ski mask was caught with homemade explosives at a 7-Eleven store: police.

On New Year's Day, a Virginia man was arrested and charged after authorities discovered homemade explosives in a stolen vehicle.

Jordan Alexander Sweetman, 19, of Arlington, has been charged with obstructing justice, possessing burglary tools, concealing identity with a mask, driving without a license, and manufacturing and possessing explosive materials.

According to a press release from the Warren County Sheriff's Office, a man wearing a ski mask was reportedly throwing items from a suspicious dark Honda with no license plates after a 911 call was made on Jan. 1.

A 7-Eleven in Linden, about 70 miles outside Washington, D.C., was where deputies found a car matching the description of the 911 caller and detained Sweetman, who attempted to escape on foot.

Jordan Alexander Sweetman mugshot
Jordan Alexander Sweetman, 19, of Arlington, Virginia, is charged with obstruction of justice, possession of burglary tools, wearing a mask to conceal identity, driving without a license, and manufacturing and possessing explosive materials. (Warren County Sheriff's Office)

The sheriff's office stated in a press release that a preliminary investigation showed that Sweetman did not own the vehicle, did not have a valid driver's license, and displayed indications of mental health problems.

Last week, before appearing before the magistrate to face his initial charges, Sweetman was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation by authorities. The charges did not include manufacturing and possessing explosive materials at the time.

On January 2, officials searched the stolen vehicle and discovered several items that resembled homemade explosives. The sheriff's office then called in additional resources, including the local fire department, bomb squad, and Washington Field Office for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Bomb technicians safely removed the explosive devices from the vehicle and conducted a controlled detonation, the sheriff's office stated.

A 7-Eleven in Linden, Virginia
Deputies located a vehicle matching the description of the 911 caller at a 7-Eleven in Linden, Virginia, about 70 miles outside Washington, D.C., where they detained Jordan Sweetman, who tried to flee the scene on foot. (Google Maps)

Sweetman is being held without bond at RSW Regional Jail in Warren County.

The young man's LinkedIn profile indicates that he worked at Joint Base Andrews Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron, which is situated in Maryland. Planet Chronicle Digital has requested a comment.

On New Year's Day, two other unrelated incidents involving explosive devices occurred. In the early morning hours of Jan. 1, Shamsud-Din Jabbar rammed a truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing 14 people. Prior to the attack, Jabbar planted explosive devices in coolers in two locations in the French Quarter, but police killed the attacker in a shootout before he could detonate them.

Authorities patrol Bourbon Street as it is reopened in New Orleans
Authorities patrol Bourbon Street as it is reopened in New Orleans on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024. Many people are dead and dozens are injured after a man rammed his car into crowds of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street on Wednesday. (Kat Ramirez for Planet Chronicle Digital)

On New Year's Day, a Tesla Cybertruck was destroyed in front of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas by a heavily decorated combat veteran who is grappling with PTSD and other challenges, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill.

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact 540-635-7100 or email [email protected] by officials.

by Audrey Conklin

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