Magnet fishermen pull old military projectile from Cooper River
A bomb squad was called to secure the area and remove the device.
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An object pulled from the Cooper River by a pair of magnet fishermen prompted local police to close roads and call for the county's bomb squad on Saturday.
The fishermen were using a large magnet to extract items from the river near the Cuthbert Boulevard Bridge at about 12:30 p.m. when the discovery was made, according to Cherry Hill police.
"With the use of a magnet, the individuals were able to pull out what appeared to be an old military style projectile," police said in a statement.
Once the pair realized that the discovery was possibly an old military ordnance, they contacted police. Officers arrived and secured the area, closing local roads "for the safety of the public," police said. The Camden County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad was also called to the location to help safely remove the device.
Authorities say the possible projectile appears to have been underwater for a long period of time. Police have not said whether it is known how the device ended up at the bottom of the Cooper River.
Once the projectile was secured by the bomb squad and removed, police reopened the road by about 4 p.m.
Police are reminding the public to immediately report any suspicious or hazardous items by calling the department at 856-488-7828 or by emailing tips@cherryhillpolice.com or clicking on https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/7196358 to send anonymous tips. Information can also be sent by texting TIP CHERRYHILLPD and your message to 888777.
