Bomb Squad Collects 'Very Old Cannonball' From Cherry Hill Backyard: Police

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Several Cherry Hill homes were evacuated Friday as a bomb squad collected what appeared to be "a very old cannonball" from a resident's backyard, police said.

Shortly before noon, police announced an active investigation after the object was found in a backyard on the 200 block of Woodstock Drive South.

Surrounding homes were temporarily evacuated, and the Bomb Unit of the Camden County Sheriff's Department was called in to assess and collect the item. Roadways were also closed off.

The actions were taken out of an abundance of caution. But there was no immediate danger to the broader community, police said.

About 30 minutes later, police announced that the Bomb Unit safely collected the item for proper disposal. All evacuated neighbors have returned to their homes, and the roads have reopened, according to the Cherry Hill Police Department.

"We would like to thank the Camden County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Unit for their assistance and professionalism," the police department said in a statement, "and we appreciate the patience and cooperation of residents and motorists while officers worked to address the situation safely."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.