CHARDON, Ohio — Last Thursday, deputies from the Geauga County Sheriff's Office arrested two men believed to be responsible for explosions over the last few months in Hambden and Claridon Townships.
Since Oct. 2, the Geauga County Sheriff's Office has documented 25 instances of reported explosions in the two townships with a total of 56 residents reporting them to the sheriff's office. Some of the residents reported that the explosions shook their homes.
Deputies arrested 24-year-old Mitchell Zimmer from Hambden Township and charged the man with Possession of Methamphetamine, a Felony 5; Having Weapons While Under Disability, a Felony 3; and Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Ordinance, a Felony 5.
Gary Miesksoki, 68, of Claridon Township, was arrested and charged with Illegal Manufacturing or Processing Explosives, a Felony 2.
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Detectives from the Geauga County Sheriff's Office conducted search warrants at two locations associated with the two suspects. At a residence associated with Zimmer, detectives recovered multiple finished explosive devices- including one explosive that weighed nearly 600 grams.
At a residence associated with Mieskoski, detectives found 1,792 explosives, two firearms, approximately 106 lbs. of chemicals used to make explosive powder, along with a large quantity of partially assembled explosives and supplies used to assemble explosives.
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Editor's Note: The below video aired on January 15, 2021