It’s not your typical donation of old pans and clothes that don’t quite fit: A Second World War grenade prompted the closure of a Chatham-Kent, Ont., thrift store Thursday afternoon, police said.
Around 11 a.m., police advised the public via social media the area around 80 Keil Drive South had been cordoned off for public safety reasons. There’s a Value Village thrift store and a few other businesses at that address.
Later Thursday, police said officers responded to the business for a report of a “possible explosive device” that was brought in as part of a donation.
Police identified the item as a historical grenade dating back to the Second World War, and evacuated the store as a precaution.
“Canadian Armed Forces attended the scene, safely retrieved the device and disposed of it according to military protocols,” read a statement from police Thursday evening, noting there’s no ongoing risk.
If you, too, are doing some pre-holiday decluttering, police remind you to exercise caution when donating old memorabilia, especially anything that could be weapons, ammunition or explosive device.
