Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On 05-05-2015 at about 5:47 p.m. a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy contacted a 37 year old male citizen at a residence located on the 1900 block of B Avenue, McKinleyville. The deputy contacted the citizen subject regarding an issue with his neighbors. While the deputy was speaking to the citizen he noticed two spent military style smoke grenades lying on the lawn.

The deputy asked the citizen if he had anymore smoke grenades. The citizen told the deputy he had another grenade in his vehicle, which was parked on the Arcata Plaza. The citizen gave a description of his vehicle to the deputy and signed a consent to search form for his vehicle.

The deputy then drove to the Arcata Plaza with the Arcata Police Department and they located the citizen’s vehicle, a 1995 Chevy Tahoe, parked on the street. The Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Deputies were called out, because of the possible explosive device in the vehicle.

HCSO: Photo taken off the internet of what the smoke grenade looked similar to

EOD Deputies did locate a live military style smoke grenade lying on the front passenger floor board of the vehicle. EOD Deputies were able to safely remove the smoke grenade from the vehicle and they transported it to a secure location.

This type of smoke grenade is illegal to possess in the State of California.

This case is still under investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

PREVIOUSLY: Grenade Found Near Arcata Plaza; Police Close Block While Bomb-Bot Descends