UPDATE, 9:23 p.m.: Lt. Kevin McKellick said the scene was cleared and traffic was opened up around 9:18 p.m.
“The bomb squad removed the item,” he said. “It seemed unlikely that the item was active. It’s best described as some kind of a grenade. They will destroy it on their end.”
MONROE, CT — Police evacuated people from Bart Center businesses and some nearby homes around 7:30 p.m. Monday, after a resident digging in his yard found a potentially explosive device.
Lt. Kevin McKellick said officers cordoned off the area of concern and are detouring traffic down Verna Road, while they wait for the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad to arrive on the scene.
“A potential unexploded ordnance was located on a property on Bart Road near the intersection of Main Street,” he said. “We contacted the State Police Bomb Squad out of an abundance of caution to look into the matter.”
“As of right now, we are advising people who live in or around the neighborhood to use Verna Road to get to residences on Bart Road and their surrounding side streets,” McKellick said.
Verna Road leads to Melon Patch Lane, April Drive, Vincent Drive, Woodacre Lane and Harmony Lane.
One resident told The Sun the device was a hand grenade, but police did not confirm that.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
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