The arrest of a former military man traveling with multiple explosive devices early Tuesday has ended what authorities are saying was a serious threat.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams said a 47-year-old New Jersey man has been taken into custody and at least seven pipe bombs detonated.

“This was the Real McCoy. We found what is believed to be improvised explosive devices and assault rifles,” Williams said. “We have weapons that were found at a local motel.”



Williams said the explosives were detonated at the scene where Mark Stephen Carron was taken into custody after a traffic stop. He is being held for failing to stop for a blue light and driving left of center.

Officials say the weapons include several rifles initially believed to be semiautomatic, as well as handguns.

The sheriff said more charges will be brought against the New Jersey man as the investigation develops. The initial investigation has turned up no accomplices, Williams said.

As to the man’s intentions for the bombs and weapons, Williams said there is reason to believe his plan was robbery, not terrorism.

“We believe he was more aligned to commit a crime such as robbery,” the sheriff said.

Officials close to the investigation said in addition to the weapons and explosives, agents found several law enforcement uniforms and badges, wigs, masks and false teeth in the man’s possession. Williams said three driver’s licenses were also found on the man.

The sheriff said the suspect is ex-military, “a bad boy,” but indicated there is no reason to believe he intended a mass-casualty attack.

“I think he could have done some real damage if he wanted to,” he said. “I don’t think we’re dealing with a weekend hobbyist.”



Officers turned on blue lights to stop Carron as he was traveling toward Orangeburg on S.C. Highway 4 after midnight Tuesday morning. He initially did not stop when deputies turned on their blue lights, ultimately pulling over on Edisto Drive (U.S. 301 south) near its intersection with Highway 4.

Elloree Police Chief Preston Avinger said his department had received a tip earlier informing law enforcement someone was staying in the Orangeburg area and that someone was armed to the teeth.

“We got the initial tip, and that information was that he was staying here at the Slumberland Motel,” Avinger said. “They said he had assault weapons, police uniforms and badges. We contacted the sheriff’s office with that information.”

Orangeburg County took over the investigation from that point, and within a couple of hours located Carron’s silver Ford Econoline van at about 12:30 a.m.

The deputies made the stop, acting on a tip provided by a local law enforcement agency, Williams said. Orangeburg County took over the investigation from that point, and within a couple of hours located Carron’s silver Ford Econoline van at about 12:30 a.m.

When authorities discovered the incendiary devices in the vehicle, an area several miles in circumference around Highway 4 and near Rivelon Drive was blocked to traffic.



From Cannon Bridge Road to Cherry Hill Road south of Orangeburg, Edisto Drive was shut off while bomb technicians detonated the devices.

A State Law Enforcement Division bomb squad was sent to the Slumberland Motel early Tuesday after information from the initial tip indicated the subject was staying at the Five Chop Road (U.S. 301 north) motel. Agents found an additional cache of weaponry, officials said.



Investigators close to the story said Carron used the bogus name of “Robert Mills” to check into the motel.

At the motel, patrons said the facility was evacuated about 7:30 a.m. with residents being allowed to return around 11:30 a.m. Nearly a dozen SLED and sheriff’s office agents searched the room.

As to why Carron was in the Orangeburg area, investigators are still trying to sort that one out.

“We can’t determine any connection at this time to say why he was here,” Williams said. “He was cooperative, there were no heated moments with the officers.”

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI have joined the investigation, officials say, and are looking into charges of their own.

Regardless, Williams said the potential of the explosive devices does indicate to authorities that Carron could have caused a lot of damage. Or worse.

“Thank God for the deputies. They were on time,” Williams said. “They could have diverted something big somewhere.”

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516.

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