After Explosions, 65-Year-Old Accused Of Having Dozens Of Pipe Bombs In White Plains Apartment

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The suspect connected to the discovery of an explosive device and reports of explosions in White Plains, has appeared before a federal judge.

Raymond Elders, 65, faces a total of five counts, including two for possessing explosives after a felony conviction.

Dozens of explosive devices were reportedly found in Elders' White Plains apartment.

"Raymond Elders allegedly constructed dozens of IEDs and detonated at least two in his neighborhood," FBI Assistant Director in Charge New York Field Office James C. Barnacle, Jr. said in a statement. "Elders's alleged actions repeatedly disregarded the public's safety by subjecting innocent bystanders to potentially devasting harm. We thank the White Plains Police Department and the Westchester County Bomb Squad for their prompt response and for protecting the residents of Westchester County. The FBI continues to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect our
communities from violence."

The White Plains Police Department confirmed that there are no explosive materials currently present in the first-floor apartment on Odell Avenue that was the center of law enforcement activity on Monday. Police told the community the immediate neighborhood is safe, and there is no ongoing threat to the people living on Odell Avenue or surrounding streets.

A scary scene played out in White Plains after reports of an explosion, and the discovery of a suspicious device.

On Monday morning, the White Plains Police Department successfully resolved the fraught incident involving a suspicious device.

White Plains police initially received calls reporting what was thought to be a transformer explosion near Odell Avenue, at 4:28 a.m. Units responded and conducted checks of transformers in the area, but did not find any signs of damage.

The situation suddenly changed at 6:08 a.m., when a White Plains police officer spotted what appeared to be a small explosive device near the doorway of an apartment building on Odell Avenue.

The White Plains Police Department Emergency Services Unit, working with the Westchester County Hazardous Devices Unit, soon rendered the device safe. The device was then secured and turned over to the Westchester County Police Department.

Police officials said that due to the nature of the investigation, and the expertise and the resources it will require, the scene and the investigation were turned over to the FBI.