An Akron man was taken into custody in Barberton yesterday evening, with law enforcement officials stating he was caught carrying a loaded weapon and explosive devices. The arrest of the 38-year-old Christopher D. Wilson occurred along North Van Buren Avenue at approximately 6:30 p.m., according to FOX8 reports.
The Barberton Police Department detailed that officers, while patrolling the aforementioned area, made contact with Wilson, resulting in the confiscation of the firearm and the immediate isolation of the explosive materials. This prompted a shutdown of the road between East Ford Avenue and East Baird Avenue as a safety precaution. According to WKYC, the Summit County Bomb Squad was called to the scene, where they "secured" the explosives without any subsequent injuries being reported.
Following the incident, the area was deemed safe and reopened to traffic approximately two hours later, at around 8:35 p.m. Wilson is now being held at the Barberton City Jail, where he faces charges that include possession of weapons and controlled substances. Cleveland19 disclosed that he is scheduled for arraignment in Barberton Municipal Court on Thursday.
While the situation was resolved without any injuries, the Barberton police are still actively investigating the circumstances leading up to the arrest. Specific details concerning the nature of the weapons, drugs, or potential motives behind the possession of the explosives have not been released, with law enforcement indicating an ongoing investigation.
