Deputies find pipe bomb, cane gun while responding to Aiken County burglary

Aiken County Sheriff’s deputies found what they believed to be a pipe bomb while investigating a burglary at a residence off Fox Road on July 14.

Deputies were investigating a robbery at a residence on a nearby road when they located an explosive device in the "back" of a truck, according to an incident report.

Deputies called the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division ordinance team after finding the device, the report said.

The ordinance team determined the best way to disarm the weapon was to detonate it in place, the report.

Deputies also located a "cane gun," according to the report.

Anthony Derrick Barton, 44, of Aiken, and Carlette Nickole Bittle, 48, of Lexington, were arrested at the scene.

Barton and Bittle have both been charged with possession or manufacturing of an explosive, second-degree burglary, malicious injury to personal property, petit larceny and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

All but malicious injury to personal property and petit larceny are felonies, but because Barton has previous charges, his charges were enhanced to felonies.

Possession or manufacturing a bomb is punishable by between 10 and 25 years in prison.

Second-degree burglary is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Malicious injury to personal property worth less than $2,000 is punishable by up to 30 days in prison or a fine of not more than $1,000.

Petit larceny is also punishable by up to 30 days in prison or a fine not more than $1,000.

Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime is punishable by five years in prison in addition to the punishment of the principal crime.

An Aiken County magistrate denied Barton bond.

The magistrate set Bittle’s bond to $12,000 in total.