Simulated grenade found on Santa Monica beach north of the pier

SANTA MONICA - A simulated grenade found today on the beach in Santa Monica prompted officials to evacuate the area just north of the pier.

The discovery was made at 2:50 p.m. in the 1200 block of The Beach, said Sgt. Cody Green of the Santa Monica Police Department.

"Los Angeles County lifeguards were flagged down regarding a suspicious device located on the sand three blocks north of the pier," Green said. "Lifeguards notified Santa Monica police who determined the device could have been an explosive."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department bomb squad "determined the item was a simulated grenade," Green said. "Those items are usually used in military training and sometimes on movie sets."

Bomb squad officials took the device and another item from the area and police continued a search.

"Right now we are checking the beach for any other items before we open it back up," Green said about 5 p.m.

No injuries were reported.

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