Fugitive Arrested in Texarkana With Apparent Explosive Device

Texarkana, Texas, Police arrested a wanted man from Fannin County, Texas, late Tuesday night, July 8 at a campground in Texarkana after officers found what appeared to be an explosive device in his truck.

Camper Refusal Leads to Standoff

According to a press release, 59-year-old Ronnie Maple of Bonham, Texas, had a felony warrant for his arrest for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Police were called to the KOA Campground on St. Michael Drive to serve the warrant. When they arrived, Maples refused to come out of his camper.

Suspicious Device Discovered in Truck, Texarkana SWAT Team Responds

Officers searched the area and found what looked like an improvised explosive device on the seat of his truck that was parked near his camper. Police had been informed of Maples' history of violence so the Texarkana SWAT team was called as a precaution.

Campers who were located close by were evacuated from the campground. Police repeatedly called for him to come out of his camper. Those commands were ignored. Officers then set of CS gas into his camper. Maples came out, surrendered and was taken into custody.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Responds

The Barksdale Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit came to the scene and inspected the device. They found it was inert but said it was definitely made to look like a real bomb.

Maples is now at the Bi-State Jail, where he has been booked for Possession of a Hoax Bomb along with the outstanding felony warrant.