In a surprising turn of events, a Western Washington state man's garage was found to contain an inert nuclear missile, according to local authorities. The man, who remains unidentified, had purchased the missile from an estate sale, unaware of its true nature.

The National Museum of the US Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, contacted Bellevue police on Wednesday to report an unexpected gift offer. Concerned about the potential danger, police swiftly brought in a bomb squad to assess the situation.

Following an investigation, it was revealed that the device in question was, in fact, a Douglas AIR-2 Genie, previously known as the MB-1. This unguided air-to-air rocket was originally designed to carry a 1.5 kt W25 nuclear warhead. However, authorities confirmed that there was no warhead attached to the rocket, ultimately ruling out any imminent threat to the community.

Since the military did not wish to reclaim the missile and no nuclear warhead was present, officials allowed the man to donate the inert missile. Consequently, there was no need for any evacuations in Bellevue, a city with a population of 150,000 located just 10 miles east of Seattle.

The man's purchase from the estate sale had unknowingly put him in possession of what could have been a potential hazard. However, due to the absence of a warhead and swift action taken by the authorities, the situation was resolved without any harm to the surrounding area.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of the items one acquires, particularly when it comes to items with potential risks. The incident also highlights the cooperation between local law enforcement and military personnel in promptly mitigating any potential dangers to the community.

The National Museum of the US Air Force expressed its gratitude to Bellevue police for their swift response and handling of the situation. As for the man who inadvertently ended up with a nuclear missile in his possession, he can now rest assured that his unexpected acquisition will find a new home in the museum, where it will be safely displayed, serving as a testament to a bygone era of military technology.