Hand Grenade Found at 37 Elm Causes Morning Stir

After battling through two floods and the ensuing aftermath, Rye dealt with a bomb scare the morning of April 26.

While repairing damage caused by the recent Nor’easter, a group of contractors from Xhema Custom Builders discovered a practice round, anti-tank hand grenade at approximately 9:15 a.m., in the foundation of the house at 37 Elm Place. Rye Police were notified, and the area within a 1,000-foot radius of the address was evacuated. Police closed off portions of Elm and Locust Avenue and contacted the Westchester County Bomb Squad.

Upon their arrival, the Bomb Squad promptly removed the device. According to them, the grenade was very old, but still had a small charge in it. According to Rye Police Lieutenant Joseph Verille, the grenade was still capable of causing bodily harm.

Florim Xhema was among the contractors who located the grenade. “One of the guys found it in the beams of the house and just placed it down,” said Xhema. “I picked it up, took it outside and cleaned it off, not knowing what it was. It looked like a toy. When I realized what it was, I was shocked. I told my guys, ‘Let’s get out of here!’ I never saw a grenade in my life before. I had seen them on TV, but not like this.”

Xhema moved the grenade from the house to the empty barn at 37 Elm, from which the Bomb Squad removed it, placed it in a “FragBag” and loaded it in their truck. According to police, the military will be contacted to dispose of the antiquated device properly.

After about an hour of being taped off, Rye police officers reopened Elm and Locust at 10:40 a.m. and life in downtown Rye returned to normal, whatever that means now.

– Jim Byrne