State Bomb Squad Removes Grenade From Police Station

By Andrew Gorosko

At about 12:45 pm on Monday, October 25, an unidentified local woman went to the police station at 3 Main Street to drop off for proper disposal what she suspected to be an old hand grenade that had been located in her residential basement, police said.

After inspecting the rusted device, which appeared to be of World War II vintage, police determined that the object was in fact a type of hand grenade that had been used by the military, similar to a pineapple-style grenade.

The grenade was then placed outside the front entrance of the police station on a grassy strip lying between a parking lot and Main Street. The front door of the police station bears a sign warning people not to bring hazardous materials inside the building.

“Newtown police quickly cordoned off and protected the surrounding area,” according to a statement from police.

Traffic continued flowing on Main Street, but parked motor vehicles were removed from the area where the grenade was positioned.

Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook firefighters were alerted of the grenade situation.

The state police’s Emergency Services Unit, commonly known as the bomb squad, arrived from Colchester at approximately 2:05 pm, after which it secured the grenade for proper disposal, police said.

The event thus ended without incident.

Police advise the public that if a suspected explosive device is found, people should not touch the device, but leave it where it was found and then contact town police to deal the situation.

Police Patrol Officer Matthew Hayes investigated the grenade incident.