Gallup Police Department officers were called to the Goodwill Store located at 1820 E. Hwy 66 at about 10 am Dec. 19, in reference to a container with what appeared to be grenades found near the business, GPD Capt. Marinda Spencer said.
Officers immediately evacuated the business and surrounding stores. No one was injured in this incident.
The initial investigation revealed that among items donated to Goodwill was a toolbox, Spencer stated in a Dec. 19 release.
“The employee who works at the receiving point took the items and began to inventory the donated items,” she wrote. “When he opened the toolbox he saw what appeared to be a grenade."
Police officers accessed the device and it appeared to be a live grenade; the NM State Police Bomb Unit was called and responded.
According to Spencer, the State Police examined the device and secured it; they determined the grenade was safe, and the lockdown was lifted.
As of the evening of Dec. 19, the scene had been rendered safe and accessible.
Gallup Police will continue to investigate the incident.
“It appears this was accidental, but is still under investigation,” Spencer stated.
This is a developing story.
