Movers get shock finding WWII hand grenades in Johnson County man’s basement
Movers helping a Prairie Village man pack up his belongings Tuesday found a couple unexpected items in his basement.
The crew called 911 just after noon when they discovered a box containing two hand grenades, later determined to be from the World War II era, said Josh Putthoff, a spokesman with the Prairie Village Police Department.
The callers were unsure if the grenades were safe, Putthoff said.
“When this happens, our dispatcher tells them, ‘Don’t touch them, don’t move them,’ and basically, ‘Get everyone out of the house,’” Putthoff said.
The Overland Park Police Department’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit responded to the scene and removed them from the house without incident, Putthoff said.
As of Wednesday morning, the EOD team had not been able to determine whether the grenades were live. In those situations, the team typically takes the potentially explosive item to a remote area and destroys it, just to be safe, Putthoff said.
Although unusual, it’s not the first time local police have gotten this kind of call. Sometimes the items people are concerned about end up being harmless toys or collectibles, Putthoff said. But this time, they were real grenades.
Putthoff said it’s important for people to be aware of what is being handed down to them. Certain memorabilia can come with documentation showing its safe and can’t be detonated, he said.
“If there is any question about it, don’t move it, don’t touch it and call law enforcement,” Putthoff said. “We’ll be able to get resources there. That doesn’t mean we’re going to come and take it right away, because sometimes the EOD department can quickly determine if its safe to have. ... But again, it’s better safe than sorry in these instances.”
The man who was in possession of the grenades had no ill intent and will not face charges related to their potentially explosive state, Putthoff said.
“There’s no criminal repercussions for being in possession of something like this when you’re buying something or it’s handed down in good faith,” Puthoff said. “But overall, just err on the side of caution.”
