ECPD Investigated an incident involving suspected explosives in a home. A Bomb Squad determined they were inactive. 
On January 23, 2018, the ECPD was dispatched to do a welfare check on an elderly resident (81 years of age) who had not been heard from in two weeks. He lived on Central Avenue near the Plaza BART station.
An Officer looked through windows and saw the man on the ground. Officers then made entry and confirmed that the resident had passed away. (Apparently of natural causes / Name withheld at this time due to family notifications)
Officers in the home could see what appeared to be three military grenades. Calls were made for a Bomb Squad response. ECFD and AMR also staged in the area. Police and Fire evacuated approximately 5 homes which were near the residence in an abundance of caution.
The USAF from Travis dispatched an EOD team. ECPD kept the area cordoned off and awaited the Bomb Squad. They arrived approximately 45 minutes later. EOD technicians determined they were replicas and did not contain explosive materials. They were collected for destruction.
Within minutes the street was reopened and a mortuary summoned for the deceased resident. His relatives also arrived at the home.
Address/Location
El Cerrito Police Department
10900 San Pablo Ave
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-237-3233
Robert De La Campa
Police Captain
[email protected]
510-215-4426
