By Staff Writer Tyler Riley
In connection with a case in which law enforcement found incendiary devices near South Shades Crest Road on June 18, a man from Shelby County has been detained and charged.
On Thursday, June 26, Jerry Lee Clarke was arrested and charged with two counts of harassment, one count of reckless endangerment, one count of first-degree unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device, and two counts of possession, manufacturing, distribution, and transportation of a destructive device.
The Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Criminal Investigative unit executed a court order for a resident of the property located at 5159 South Shades Crest Road, Bessemer, on Wednesday, June 18 at around 12:47 p.m.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Hoover Police Department, and the Helena Police Department were among the units that arrived on the scene.
Investigators spotted what they thought was an incendiary device while inspecting the property. South Shades Crest Road next to Timberlake Drive was promptly cleaned, and the area was blocked.
After that, law enforcement got in touch with the multi-jurisdictional explosive ordinance team, and using a search warrant obtained before the court order was used, authorities started looking into the property.
According to Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Debbie Sumrall, many items that looked like incendiaries were discovered, but they were all determined to be safe.
Because so many devices were found and taken from the premises, the soldiers arrived on the scene later. Sumrall reassured locals that there was nothing to worry about at the moment.
Since officials were doing a mental health pickup and carrying out the search warrant on the residence, Clarke has now been recognized as the man they were serving the court order on.
Clarke is being jailed on a $403,000 bond due to the six accusations that were brought against him upon his arrest.
Shelbycountyreporter.com will provide more details on this case as they become available.
