Authorities say the bomb squad has removed and destroyed a possible World Word II-era anti-tank rocket, which was live, after a resident dug it up near Antioch.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded late Thursday morning to the 25000 block of West 3rd Street in unincorporated Antioch for a report of a suspicious item.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said deputies arrived and found a possible World War II-era anti-tank rocket on the ground.
Residents in the immediate area were evacuated and the bomb squad was notified.
Covelli said the homeowner was doing yardwork when they found something with sharp edges sticking out of the ground.
The resident was curious and dug the item out of the ground. It is unknown how long the object was buried in the ground.
The Waukegan Bomb Squad responded to the scene and worked to determine how to dispose of the item safely.
Covelli said in an update that the bomb squad was able to secure the device and transport it to an undisclosed location.
They have since detonated and destroyed the rocket, which was live.
Residents in the area were allowed to return to their homes and the scene has been cleared.