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'Never know what you can find': Grenade donated to B.C. thrift store by mistake

The discovery resulted in a 'significant' police response.
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A grenade was discovered in a donation bin at a B.C. thrift store on Feb. 26, 2024. Photo: Abbotsford Police Department

Police surrounded a thrift store in Abbotsford after an explosive device was found inside a donation bin. 

Value Village staff were sorting items in donation bins on Monday when they discovered a grenade and contacted 911 just after 3 p.m. 

Abbotsford police officer evacuated the store and surrounding businesses.

“Officers cordoned off the area of the business to mitigate any potential risk to the public,” says Const. Art Stele.

The Explosives Disposal Unit attended the scene and was able to determine the device was a decommissioned Second World War Mills grenade.

“The donator was contacted and advised that the item was inadvertently donated,” says Stele.

According to the owner, the grenade was used as a paperweight. 

“You never know what you can find when thrifting and yesterday proved that to be true,” says Stele. 

Once the device was removed and disposed of, police reopened the area to the public.