Veteran walks into sheriff’s station with WWII-era grenade
The entrance of the Crescenta Valley sheriff’s station was closed for about an hour Sunday after an 84-year-old World War II veteran walked in holding a paper bag with what he described as a training grenade inside.
The man walked into the station about 6:10 p.m. and told authorities that a friend’s widow had given it to him to safely discard, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The man then took the bag outside and placed it in the public parking lot, which, along with the station’s lobby, was closed to visitors and any traffic.
A bomb squad rendered the grenade safe and normal operations resumed about 7:25 p.m. Investigators believe the grenade was a World War II practice grenade called an MK-II.
“We recommend the public not touch, pick up or transport anything that might be flammable or explosive,” said Sgt. Joseph Acevedo of the Sheriff’s Arson/Explosives Detail. “You should instead immediately call local authorities and let us render it safe where it is.”
Twitter: @aribloomekatz | Facebook
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
