Crime & Safety

NJ Fisherman Pulls Unexploded Military Shell From Under Passaic River

Nutley police said a county bomb squad took the shell to a safe location to be detonated.

NUTLEY, NJ -- A fisherman pulled an unexploded military shell from beneath the Passaic River on Saturday, Nutley police said.

According to Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumolo, a man who was magnet fishing found the shell around 3:45 p.m. He immediately notified police, who cordoned off Park Avenue, Route 21, River Road and the Lyndhurst Bridge until an Essex County Sheriff's Office bomb squad arrived.

The shell, which was believed to be live, was then secured and removed to a safe location to be detonated, police said.

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Nutley Police Director Alphonse Petracco commended the resident for his "quick thinking" and for notifying authorities. Petracco also thanked local police and fire crews, as well as Belleville, Lyndhurst and the Essex County Sherriff’s Department for "assisting us in safeguarding everyone in the area."

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