An Arkansas man accused of breaching security fences at the Oconee nuclear power plant in South Carolina has been found and arrested, authorities confirmed Friday.
According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, 66-year-old Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt, of Lockesburg, was arrested Friday night.
He is also wanted for drugs and weapons in Arkansas, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said that at approximately 3 p.m., deputies found an abandoned silver 2002 Toyota Camry in the woods that they believed was involved in Thursday’s incident.
SC MAN ACCUSED OF DRIVING THROUGH OCONEE NUCLEAR PLANT SECURITY FENCES, SEARCH CONTINUES
Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt of Arkansas was taken into custody in Pickens County, SC (Pickens County Sheriff’s Office)
Police said Whisenhunt allegedly left his vehicle at 9 p.m. Thursday and was found by authorities hiding in an abandoned building in the woods on Friday, police said.
Authorities said Whisenhunt was taken into custody without incident.
Duke Energy says the Oconee nuclear power plant in South Carolina is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the country, with three nuclear reactors. (Duke Energy)
It’s still unclear why Whisenhunt went to the nuclear plant, Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said.
“At this point in our investigation, we have no evidence that this is any type of domestic terrorist incident,” Crenshaw said during a news conference.
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At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Whisenhunt allegedly drove his Camry off the exit side of the gate at the Oconee Nuclear Power Plant in Seneca.
“After the vehicle struck pop-up barriers activated by security at the plant, the driver lifted the vehicle onto a dirt road, where Duke Energy security blocked the vehicle, according to deputies. The driver then went through a fence after attempting to hit the security officers,” according to the sheriff’s office statement.
Stock photo of a silver 2002 Toyota Camry, the type of vehicle Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt allegedly drove through the fence of a nuclear power plant in South Carolina. (Oconee County Sheriff’s Office)
Deputies said that while Whisenhunt was trying to exit the facility, he once again attempted to hit a security van with a guard inside.
Whisenhunt then drove into Pickens County and pulled into a residential property on Jones Mill Road, where shots were fired, authorities said.
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According to Oconee Nuclear Power Plant operator Duke Energy, its Oconee facility is one of the country’s largest nuclear power plants with three nuclear reactors. The facility began operating in 1973 and has produced more than 500 million megawatt hours of electricity.
Officials said Whisenhunt faces multiple charges, including trespassing, malicious injury to property and attempted murder.
Fox News Digital’s Pilar Arias contributed to this report.
