Three Live Grenades Found At This Minnesota Historical Museum

When you head to the museum, you aren't expecting to see the bomb squad, but that was exactly what happened earlier this week at one Minnesota area historical museum. The History Center of Freeborn County in Albert Lea recently had the St. Paul Bomb Squad called to dispose of some live ordnances.

The History Center of Freeborn County posted about the explosive find on social media.

We had a little excitement at the History Center today. Thank you Albert Lea Police Department and St. Paul Police Department Bomb Squad. Yes, bomb squad! We found three live grenades in our collections. Feeling a sigh of relief as they were carried out.

There wasn't an explanation for how or when the grenades were donated, but if the person who donated the items knew about the grenades, they could be charged with a crime. Under Minnesota law 609.66 - 

Felony; furnishing dangerous weapon.

Whoever recklessly furnishes a person with a dangerous weapon in conscious disregard of a known substantial risk that the object will be possessed or used in furtherance of a felony crime of violence is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than $20,000, or both.

Grenade donations are fairly common as there was a grenade that was recently donated in the last year up in Canada; that 'live' grenade was being used as a paperweight before being donated.

There was also a case where someone in Wisconsin donated a live grenade to a Goodwill; you can learn about that donation here. 

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If you are donating to a local thrift store or a local museum, take a look at what you are giving them, making sure you aren't unwillingly donating a family heirloom or, for that matter, a live grenade or three.