Burglary suspect found with 'concerning' amount of bomb-making materials

Katie Nelson and Trevor Mitchell, Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Authorities discovered a "concerning" amount of bomb-making equipment and illegal guns after a man was arrested on burglary charges in Sioux Falls on Tuesday night.

The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department served a search warrant Tuesday afternoon on 1112. S. Blaine Avenue in eastern Sioux Falls to arrest Mark Christopher Einerwold, 43, on burglary charges related to recent thefts in Dell Rapids and Tea, Minnehaha County Sheriff Capt. Jason Gearman said.

While searching the residence and Einerwold's vehicle, bomb-making materials and illegal firearms were found, Gearman said.

Authorities found other evidence that Einerwold has an "extreme hatred for police, fire and government," Gearman said. "It's safe to say we stopped something from happening. We don't know what that is."

Einerwold is charged in Minnehaha County with one count of third-degree burglary, one county of felony intentional damage to property and two counts of possession of a controlled weapon. He is also being charged with the sale and transportation of a destructive device, Gearman said. Einerwold appeared in court Wednesday and is being held on a $200,000 cash-only bond with a condition of no weapons.

Einerwold is also charged in Lincoln County with two counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of intentional damage to property and two counts of possession of weapon or tools with intent to commit burglary.

In an application for a court-appointed attorney, Einerwold said he had no assets and $350,000 debt.

In court, the prosecutors said that when police searched Einerwold's home, a pistol, sawed-off shotgun and a silencer were found in a backpack believed to be the same one used in several local burglaries. They also said authorities found a "manifesto" or document that included threats toward law enforcement and the government.

The sheriff's department had earlier said Einerwold was connected to Antifa, specifically citing a jacket that was found in his apartment. They declined to provide additional evidence.

People near Einerwold's residence weren't allowed to return to their homes until late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning as crews took care of the material that was found, Gearman said. An improvised explosive device was found inside Einerwold's vehicle and was neutralized on scene.

Gearman said ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder were found in Einerwold's residence.

"The amount of explosives found was significant and concerning," Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead said.

The sheriff's department is asking anyone who knew Einerwold or may have known what his motives were to come forward and contact authorities.

Einerwold lived with his son, who is not being charged, the sheriff's department says.

"We may have prevented a big tragedy, and we don't know what that could have been," Milstead said.

Authorities arrested Einerwold on Tuesday afternoon on charges he twice stole items from an Ace Hardware in Tea and a Pizza Ranch in Dell Rapids in June and July.