Grenade replica donated to Goodwill prompts bomb squad investigation

A Goodwill store in Lacey was subject to investigation by a bomb squad after a grenade replica was found among donated items.

“A suspicious device was located at Goodwill, and, out of an abundance of caution, WSP (Washington State Patrol) is on the way to investigate,” the agency said in a social media post.

Police later explained that a Goodwill employee found what appeared to be a grenade among donated items, prompting authorities to respond and evacuate the store and asked to stay out of the area.

Both military and WSP bomb squads were called in.

Lacey Police Department asked the public to stay out of the 4800 block of Yelm Highway SE on Thursday around noon due to police activity in the area.

“There is no danger to the businesses nearby, but we do want to keep the area clear so law enforcement can move about,” it added.

An investigation found that the object was only a “very realistic” heavy metal replica of a grenade, Lacey Police announced in a different post.

“#BetterSafeThanSorry,” read one of the hashtags on the post by Lacey police, adding “#DontDonateReplicaOrdinance #CausedAWholeKerfuffle.”