A live grenade found in the backyard of a Los Banos home was removed Saturday night by the Merced County bomb squad.

According to Los Banos Police Commander Justin Melden, at 5:17 p.m. Dec. 28 the residents of a home on the 500 block of Briarwood Court called the Los Banos Police Department to report that while digging in their backyard they found what appeared to be a grenade.

When officers arrived, they confirmed that it was a grenade and they called the Merced County Bomb Squad.

Additional police officers and a Los Banos firetruck responded to help cordoned off traffic while they waited for the bomb squad who were traveling from Merced.

Two members of the bomb squad arrived at approximately 7:30 p.m. and confirmed it was a live grenade and placed it in an explosive safe box. The roadway was reopened at 8 p.m.

It is unknown how the grenade ended up in the backyard.

Members of the Los Banos police and fire departments discuss the situation with members of the Merced County Bomb Squad.
The Westside Express