Neighborhood Evacuated as Wauconda Police Search Home for Bombs [UPDATE]

Wauconda, IL — Police searched a home in the 400 block of Lakeshore Boulevard looking for explosives, and they evacuated an area of more than 100 homes Thursday night. One man was taken into custody after threatening to kill police, and charges are expected to be filed sometime Friday.

Shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, ATF dogs trained to sniff out explosives entered the home.

Illinois State Police SWAT, the Waukegan Bomb Squad and the Lake County Sheriff's Department were on scene with the Wauconda Police.

"A threat was made to an employee at a business by the suspect that he wanted to lure the police to his home with the intention of setting off explosives and blowing them up. The suspect said he is terminally ill and hates politicians and the police," police said in a statement posted to Facebook at 9:40 p.m.

Mill Street and Route 176, Lakeshore Boulevard and Route 176, Lakeshore and Hill Street and Highland and Clearview avenues were blocked before 8 p.m. Friday morning, police said Lakeshore will remain closed between 176 and Hill Street and Highland will remain closed between Lakeshore and Clearview.

Police took nearby residents to Federated Church, 200 Barrington Road, for shelter. Residents began returning to their homes shortly after midnight.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home. Police waited for the entire area to be evacuated before proceeding with the search out of concern that explosives could detonate. Once ATF searched the home and authorities determined there were no large explosives that could endanger the neighborhood, residents were allowed to return.

"It's inconvenient, but it's a matter of public safety, so it is what it is," resident Valentin Roman told the Daily Herald.

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