Fake grenade blamed in central Indiana explosive scare

FRANKFORT, Ind. — A central Indiana police chief says a bomb squad determined that device that caused an explosives scare was a fake hand grenade.

A 51-year-old Frankfort man pleaded not guilty to possession of a hoax device and other charges during an initial court appearance Tuesday. Police arrested the man after a liquor store told officer that he took out the object and put it on the counter Monday night.

That prompted police to shut down a main street through Frankfort for more than an hour until the object was removed.

Police Chief Troy Bacon tells The Times of Frankfort that the man didn’t threaten the clerk and investigators don’t know why he displayed the fake grenade.