Evanston Man Calls In His Own Bomb Threat

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 20, 2011 4:30PM

Today seems to be shaping up as a day of full of dumb. A 19-year-old Evanston man was arrested after he planted a bomb in a garbage can at an Evanston police station, then called the police to tip them to the bomb's location.

Police said Sergio Chaves left the bomb in the can at 633 Howard, then called the station saying the bomb, crafted from fireworks, nails, glass and fuses, was planted by a drug dealer. Police said Chaves's story "didn't add up" - our first guess would have been his wanting to claim a reward for the tip.

Chaves now faces federal charges of attempted bombing of public safety officials. U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Tom Ahern said the bomb could have put people at risk and was deactivated by the Cook County sheriff's bomb squad Saturday.