Arkansas Man Arrested with Pipe Bombs and Escape Plan:
Lawrence Hickman, 52, has been taken into custody after authorities uncovered six homemade pipe bombs at his residence.
Facing six counts of criminal possession of explosive materials or a destructive device, Hickman is currently held on a $1 million bond at the Benton County Jail.
Inflatable Kayaks, Firearms, and Potential Flight:
During Hickman’s arrest on December 13 at a pier in Pacific County, Washington, he was found in possession of two inflatable kayaks, an AR-style rifle, pistol, bolt-action rifle, compound bow, ammunition, black powder, laptop, USB drive, and SD cards.
Detectives suspect Hickman was plotting to flee the country, possibly due to an upcoming trial in Texas, although the specific charges in Texas remain unclear.
Chloroform, Pipe Bombs, and Harassment Complaint:
A woman who reported harassment by Hickman led authorities to his residence, where a bottle of chloroform was discovered in a dresser drawer.
She informed police that live pipe bombs were present at Hickman’s Bella Vista home, triggering the involvement of the Bentonville Bomb Squad. The bombs prompted the evacuation of nearby neighbors for safety.
Alleged Escape Plans and Unusual Targets:
According to a neighbor, Hickman had expressed intentions to kayak to the Philippines, where his wife resided, and had plans to travel to Alaska through the Bering Sea.
The neighbor claimed that the pipe bombs were allegedly intended for sharks and pirates, while liquor was mentioned for Russians, according to the affidavit.
Upcoming Arraignment and Synagogue Bomb Threats:
Hickman’s arraignment is scheduled for January 8. In a separate incident, two New York synagogues were searched by police following bomb threats on Christmas Eve.
The Shaare Zion Temple in Brooklyn and Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx were investigated, but no devices were found.
The threats, believed to have been sent via email, prompted police to continue canvassing and patrolling areas affected by swatting incidents targeting synagogues across the United States since October 7.
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