A suspicious device found on the outskirts of South Lake Tahoe ended up being a grenade.

Members of El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department’s Explosive Ordinance Detail used an X-ray device to determine the item that was located inside a black bag near the end of Sierra Boulevard and Barbara Avenue was live.

“They used a disruptor to render the device safe,” Deputy Damian Frisby told Lake Tahoe News. “It’s a small charge that shoots a projectile into the device that basically blows it apart so it doesn’t cause explosion.”

No one had to be evacuated during the May 25 late afternoon incident. Nearby residents were told to stay away from doors and windows as the device was deactivated.

Frisby said investigators are looking into who placed the grenade near where Caltrans dumps snow each winter. He does not know if the person who notified authorities may have had anything to do with the incident.

— Kathryn Reed