SALISBURY — A man has been arrested after police say they found “weapons of mass destruction” during a routine traffic stop.

The incident began when a deputy stopped a driver on Long Ferry Road for an expired license tag, according to a release from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The driver pulled over into the Exxon gas station parking lot located at 1215 Long Ferry Road.

While speaking with the driver, the deputy noticed that he appeared to be “very nervous” and called for a K-9 officer to respond to search the vehicle. During the search, the K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle, according to the release.

Several other deputies arrived on scene at some point during the stop and began to search the vehicle after the driver stepped out. During the search, they reportedly discovered what appeared to be several pipe bombs in the glove box. 

After finding the apparent explosives, deputies stopped searching the car and began to evacuate the area. Everyone in the parking lot and inside the gas station was asked to leave, and the area was roped off to prevent anyone from getting close to the bombs, the release stated. The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded to the scene and detonated the bombs safely.

The bomb squad then continued to search the car and reportedly found an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine, a glass smoking pipe and ball bearings, all of which was given to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office for evidence.

Detectives with Rowan County obtained search warrants for the driver’s home, located in the 11400 block of Stokes Ferry Road, and his parent’s residence, located in the 8400 block of Dogwood Drive, based on information that the driver had been allegedly making the bombs at his parent’s home. No further explosives or bomb-making materials were found at the locations, according to the release.

The driver was identified as 45-year-old Christopher Wade McDaniel by the release. McDaniel has been charged with possession of weapons of mass destruction, driving without an operator’s license, driving without sufficient financial responsibility, having an expired registration, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

McDaniel was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and given a $250,000 bond.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said that they have not determined what McDaniel planned to do with the bombs or what his motive was.