WWI French Artillery Round Found In Needles Garage

NEEDLES (CBSLA) — A live World War I French artillery round was found in the garage of a Needles home, authorities said Thursday.

Deputies responded to the 900 block of Smith Road in Needles Wednesday afternoon to investigate the report of an unexploded military ordnance in a garage. After inspecting the ordnance, they contacted the San Bernardino Sheriff's Arson/Bomb detail, who responded to the scene.

Detective Brad Phillips with the arson/bomb detail determined the ordnance was a live World War I French 37mm artillery round. It was removed for destruction.

It's not clear if the ordnance belonged to the homeowner or a previous resident.

Needles is located in east San Bernardino County, on the border between California and Nevada, west of the Colorado River.