MANCHESTER, Tenn. (WTVF) — Two inmates from the Coffee County jail found an explosive device in a ditch in Manchester this morning. The inmates - who are part of a work program - were mowing near the intersection of Woodbury Highway and Walker Street.
Manchester police responded with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Homeland Security.
While searching the area, police found a second explosive about 30 to 45 yards away from the first device, at the end of the road in front of someone's house, according to Jackie Matheny, Manchester Police's chief investigator.
The explosives appeared homemade, made from eight to ten inches of metal piping. THP collected the devices, and had plans to detonate them at a safe unit.
Manchester Police officials say Justin McCart was arrested in the case. He's been charged with four counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and held on a $100,000 bond.
Police say he confessed to throwing the two bombs at Walker Street to "scare his girlfriend" and that there were two more at his home.
Officers searched the home and found two more pipe bombs, along with other components to make more bombs.
