Grenade scare cleared neighborhood

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Sheriff's deputies evacuated a North Valley neighborhood Saturday after an attempt to serve an arrest warrant revealed a possible hand grenade.

Nearly two hours later the grenade was determined to be inert.  A sheriff's spokesman described it as a "novelty item."

By then some residents of Homesite Lane NW had been forced from their homes and Fourth Street NW closed north of Alameda Boulevard.

Evacuees were directed to the Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center on Fourth just north of Alameda.

The incident began about 4 p.m. and ended shortly before 6 p.m.

During that time the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department established an extensive perimeter around properties on Homesite and requested the Albuquerque Police Department Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit.

Details of the warrant are not yet know although a sheriff's spokesperson said an arrest was made.