Grenade Safely Removed From Courthouse Parking Lot

The Santa Maria Police Department blocked two roads near the Courthouse as a safety precaution Monday morning.

Just after 9 a.m. officials closed Miller and Cook streets where police said a person dropped off a grenade in a safe and secure manner.

Police were aware of the drop-off and it was considered a secure situation. The event was not considered suspicious.

UPDATE: SMPD said someone found the grenade in a storage facility and was not sure if it was real and/or dangerous.

The person called the police to set up the drop-off at the courthouse; which closed due to the Labor Day holiday.

Roads were blocked for about two hours. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s bomb squad unit was called in to remove the grenade because authorities were unsure if the device was dangerous and they are taking all safety precautions.

Bomb squad technicians removed the device just before 11:30 a.m. and all road closures were lifted.