Howitzer shell clears out Philly police station

Bomb squad called after man turns in old shell that was still live

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updated 9:32 a.m. ET Oct. 5, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - A man who turned in an old artillery shell to Philadelphia police has learned a lesson: Call ahead.

The Philadelphia Daily News reports that police district headquarters was evacuated Saturday after the man brought in a live projectile for a howitzer tank.

Police say the 53-year-old man got the shell in 1977 from a friend who was a Marine and had kept it in storage since then. He recently decided to turn it in for safety reasons.

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Police Lt. Frank Vanore says the city bomb squad took the device to a disposal site. He says all indications are that the projectile was live.

Police say the man is not expected to be charged for bringing the shell to the station.