A /*Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility*/ inmate on the Sheriff's Work Release Program road crew was performing roadside cleanup near the intersection of Ironwood Ave. and Theodore St. in unincorporated Riverside County just east of Moreno Valley at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when he found a large ammunition round. The round was found near the /*Badlands Landfill*/.
The round was later investigated by a Riverside County hazardous-waste inspector and determined to be dangerous.
Riverside County sheriff's deputies and the department's Hazardous Device Team (HDT) were summoned. HDT personnel said the device was a live 40mm incendiary smoke round. The round was transported to a secure area to be destroyed.
Possession of live military ordnance is unlawful and extremely unsafe, according to the sheriff's department.
The disposal of such items should be conducted by experts, and explosive devices should never be discarded or handled by anyone other than trained experts, according to the department.
If anyone should possess explosive ordnance items, or items they suspect to be explosives, they should contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Hazardous Device Team at (951) 955-6644, or their local Sheriff's station or law enforcement agency.
The Cabazon Station can be reached at (951) 922-7100 or CabazonStation@RiversideSheriff.org and the Riverside County Dispatch Center can be contacted at (800) 950-2444.
