BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (Battle Creek Enquirer) — Police on Tuesday warned residents about the dangers of unexploded military ordnance after one was safely destroyed.

The department’s bomb squad was called about 8 p.m. Monday to the home of Beau Angell on East Avenue North after he obtained what appeared to be an anti-tank shell

Angell, who owns Angell All Metal and Scrap Removal, said he obtained the 22-inch shell on Saturday when a home owner near Day Road and M-66 called him to dispose of some scrap from his pole barn.

Angell said he had thought about keeping the shell and did some Internet research attempting to determine what it was and if it was live. He said he even dismantled a portion of the shell casing.

On Sunday, Angell said he took the shell when the family visited relatives for Easter near Parma.

He said his father-in-law looked at the shell “and he said that scares me.” Angell said.

When he returned home Sunday night, Angell said he called police, sent them pictures and then showed officers and then members of the bomb squad when they arrived.

Bomb Squad supervisor Sgt. Troy Gilleylen said they began searching for a military ordnance disposal unit after inspecting the shell.

He said it appeared to be a 105 mm anti-tank round, possibly from World War II and so the military was called.

Angell said he saw ‘105’ and ‘1944’ imprinted on the shell.

Members of a disposal unit from Fort Knox, Ky. said they would come to Battle Creek but Angell and his family had to stay in a motel overnight and an officer was stationed outside the house.

Shortly after noon the Army team arrived, placed the shell in the back of a truck and drove it with a police escort to Fort Custer Training Center where Gilleylen said they used a counter charge to destroy it.

He said the disposal team members said it appeared to be a Vietnam-era leaflet projectile, although no leaflets were found inside. Gilleylen said It did contain an explosive charge and was dangerous.

Detective Scott Silverman, a member of the police department’s bomb squad, said they are sometimes called to dispose of old military ordnance and other items like dynamite.

“We get a lot of it,” said Silverman, “and it’s mostly small, but it is technically military property.”
Fonte: http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/2014/04/22/wwii-era-e-anti-tank-explosive-found-near-battle-creek/8021979/

Foto tratta da http://www.wzzm13.com/