June 10, 2024 — UPDATE
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–Hightstown Police say that on Monday, June 10, 2024, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Hightstown Police Department was dispatched to the rental office of the Deerfield/Westerlea Arms Apartment complex, Westerlea Avenue, for a thirty-nine (39) year old female with severe stomach pain. Upon the officers’ arrival, it was determined that the injury was sustained from an inert-type grenade that had detonated, once the pin was removed/tampered with. Robbinsville EMS arrived on scene, performed an evaluation, and transported the patient to Capital Health-Fuld Campus for non-life-threatening injuries.
As a result of the unknown device detonating and causing injury, the NJSP Bomb Squad, along with Hightstown Fire Department and Hightstown First Aid Squad were summoned to the scene to stand by until the scene was rendered safe by NJSP Bomb Squad. Officers from the Hightstown Police Department evacuated the immediate area and secured access points as a precautionary measure.
NJSP Bomb Squad personnel, shortly after arrival, rendered the scene safe, stating the device was a practice grenade that still had a fuse in the grenade that caused the detonation when the pin was removed or tampered with. No other citizens, residents, or emergency responders were injured during the incident.
This is a reminder for all that devices that seem inert or safe, may not be, and have the potential for serious injuries.
Anyone that comes in possession of such devices should contact their local police department, and/or NJSP Bomb Squad to assure the devices are safe.
Hightstown Police Department members are thankful that this incident was not more serious and wish the victim well in her recovery.
Earlier MidJersey.news story here:
Heavy Police Presence at Emergency Scene in Hightstown, NJ
