By Joe Johnson
Two arrests have been made in connection with the detonation of a powerful explosive device earlier this month in a Winder neighborhood, Winder police announced late Friday afternoon.
The explosion occurred in the early hours of Oct. 2 on Holly Drive between McNeal Road and Brookview Terrace where police said they discovered someone had set off some explosive material near a mailbox by the road in front several residences in the neighborhood that is located near Winder-Barrow High School.
According to police, the explosion destroyed a mailbox, caused extensive damage to a vehicle parked close by and broke windows of multiple residences in the general area.
During a joint investigation by the Winder Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation two suspects were identified and additional evidence was located when a search warrant was executed on Fox Run, just outside of Winder’s city limits.
As a result, Royce Van Court, 38, of Winder was arrested on Oct. 4, police said, and Michael Bonzo Huff, 31, of Nicholson was arrested on Oct. 12.
Police have not released a motive for the bombing, except to vaguely say it resulted from a “domestic conflict.”
Both suspects are currently being held without bond at the Barrow County Detention Center on multiple charges that include possessing, transporting or receiving explosives or destruction devices with intent to kill, injure or intimidate individuals or destroy public buildings; manufacturing, transporting, distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, and offering to distribute an explosive device; terroristic threats and acts; reckless conduct; criminal damage to property; criminal trespass and destruction of a mailbox.
Huff was additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and The Statham Police Department also assisted in this investigation.
“The cooperative effort between all of these agencies led to the quick apprehension of these suspects,” the Winder police announcement said.