while looking at types of this tool on google, i did see quite a few styles that can include wide flat "teeth" that could potentially look like an object being held by the pliers- there are so many types- one for chain locking, several different types for welders- but it DOES appear that something round is held inside the teeth. if this is a locked plier tool and was used at some point, i can imagine the perpetrator continuing on without stopping to disengage the lock - it seems so clear to me that this is what the item IS, that i am having a difficult time seeing the object as anything else- i am trying to be openminded and "see" the box that others see, but i just can't!