Update: St. Pete Beach Grenade Not a Threat, Cops Say

Update Oct. 2, 2:06 p.m.: The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has determined the grenade found off St. Pete Beach Thursday is not a threat, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Earlier:

Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies have cordoned off a portion of St. Pete Beach behind the Sirata Hotel as they investigate what might be the discovery of a grenade in the area.

The sheriff’s office says a man using a metal detector found the possible grenade about 20 feet from the shore near the 5300 Gulf Blvd. hotel. The man brought the item to the shore and authorities were notified.

“As a result and in an abundance of caution, Pinellas County Deputies have cordoned off the beach area behind the Sirata and have contacted the Hillsborough County Bomb Squad,” an email from the sheriff’s office stated.

No further details are available at this time.

Stay with Patch for updates as they become available.