Live Korean War-Era Hand Grenade Brought To FL Police Station

LAKELAND, FL — A “well-meaning citizen” brought a live hand grenade to the Lakeland Police Department on Sunday after finding the device while helping clean out a family member’s belongings, officials said in a social media post.

The resident brought the device in a box to the police station on Massachusetts Avenue, believing it was “an old hand grenade,” the department said.

The incident prompted the temporary closure of the police station and road detours while a Tampa Police Department Bomb Squad investigated and safely removed the grenade.

The bomb squad determined the item was a live hand grenade, possibly dating to the Korean War era, Lakeland police said.

Police said the resident had good intentions in bringing the item to the station but warned the public not to handle or transport suspicious devices.

“If anyone finds a suspicious device, call the police immediately rather than handle it,” police said. “Contact your local law enforcement agency and let them come to you to assess the situation.”

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