Brawley locals evacuated after replica grenade found
Karina Bazarte
BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Locals in Brawley had to be evacuated for about an hour after police found a replica grenade.
The Brawley Police Department (BPD) says the incident started after an anonymous caller reported seeing a man walking with a machete, and another person bleeding from the hand near A and Second Street Monday.
When officers arrived they did not see the suspect or the victim. The victim was found on a different street with no injuries.
“They refused medical aid on scene and were denying any involvement…collaborating with who the suspect might be,” said Mark Storms, investigator with BPD.
BPD says they later found a machete outside a home. That is when they decided to look around the home and found a replica grenade.
“Both the Imperial County Bomb Squad and Fire Department arrived on scene. Approximately about an hour later, they were to determine that the grenade was in fact a replica, however, just because of the appearance of the grenade possibly due to weather, the heat in the valley, as well as the grenade being taped, it did appear to be a life grenade at first glance,” said Storms.
BPD say one person was arrested, but could not give more information on the charges.
This case is still under investigation.