UPDATED: Police Say Suspicious Device Was Inert Grenade
Maple Ave reopened but congestion remains around Merchant Tire, where the device was reported.
Update 11:35 a.m. Police Investigate Inoperable Grenade Found on Maple Ave
Update 10:11 a.m.: Vienna Police Department spokesman Officer Gary Lose said the device removed by the Fairfax County Police Department bomb squad was an inert grenade.
Lose said police don't know who left the device in the Merchant Tire parking lot.
Original 9:44 a.m. Maple Ave Reopens After Police Remove Suspected Explosive: Maple Avenue was reopened about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after Fairfax County police shut down the road for nearly two hours to remove a suspected explosive device in the Merchant Tire parking lot.
At 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, police shut down Maple Avenue between Lawyers Road and Center Street to investigate the device, reportedly in the parking lot of the tire shop at 141 Maple Ave W.
It's not clear at this time if the device was actually explosive, or what exactly it was.
There is still very heavy congestion in the area, warns an alert sent by the town Wednesday morning. Motorists should use an alternate route.
Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.
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