Two more arrested in Harrisburg explosives investigation

HARRISBURG, Ark. (KAIT) – Two more people have been arrested during an investigation involving suspicious activities with explosives.

Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder announced Thursday that 56-year-old Albert Tatyrek, of Harrisburg, and a second teenager were arrested in connection to an explosives investigation.

Tatyrek has been charged with criminal possession of explosive material and tampering with physical evidence, while the teen was charged with attempted sell of explosive material to someone under 21.

This comes after multiple agencies served two search warrants simultaneously on a house and an unnamed auction company on Jackson Street across from Sweet South Dinner and Bakery, reported Molder; weapons and components to manufacture a bomb were discovered at the auction house.

The investigation began on Wednesday with the initial arrest of a student at Harrisburg High School. Molder said the student was charged with criminal possession of explosive material, attempted sell of explosive material to someone under 21, and criminal use of a prohibited weapon.

In a previous statement, Molder did clarify that the student did not have the explosives with them at the school when the arrest was made. He explained that a search warrant was executed at the student’s home, and students at the Harrisburg School District were and are not in danger.

Molder added that the information he was able to release at the moment was limited due to the complexities of this investigation, but did state that he was very confident that the authorities involved “may have prevented an incident that would have caused serious physical injury or death to one or more person(s).”

In addition, he revealed that a local person had previously reported some suspicious activity to Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, which led to the arrests.

The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, FBI, and Harrisburg and Arkansas State Police have been working together to assure the safety of everyone involved and in the surrounding community.

Molder stressed that the investigation is far from over, and more information will come out. Region 8 News will continue to follow this story for new details.

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