Man Arrested For Crystal Lake Library 'Swatting' Call

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A Skokie man faces charges for allegations he falsely claimed there was a bomb at the Crystal Lake Public Library in September.

Joseph Spiro, to the 4600 Davis Street in Skokie, has been charged with two counts of disorderly conduct in connection with the Sept. 14 incident at the library, 126 W. Paddock St. On that day, a library employee reported receiving a message through the library’s chat platform claiming there was a bomb inside the building.

The library was evacuated and the building and area surrounding the library was searched, but officials did not locate anything suspicious.

An investigation revealed that other similar “swatting” incidents involving hoax bomb threats were taking place throughout the Chicago suburbs and after a suspect was identified, the Crystal Lake Police Department began working with other law enforcement agencies who were conducting similar investigations.

A warrant was issued for Spiro's arrest on Jan. 24.

The Crystal Lake Police Department encourages anyone with information related to this case to contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815-356-3620. Anyone with a cell phone can send an anonymous tip to the Crystal Lake Police Department by texting the word CLPDTIP along with the tip information to 847411 (tip411).