Melrose Park Man Charged With Making Threatening Phone Calls To Illinois State Toll Highway Authority

Press release from the DuPage County State’s Attorney Office:

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police Capt. Jason Bradley, District 15 Commander, announced today that a Melrose Park man has been charged with one count of Electronic Harassment, a Class 4 Felony, for allegedly making threatening phone calls to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

Edward Rice, 34 (d.o.b. 5/12/1986) of 829 Joyce Street, appeared in Bond Court Oct. 1 where Judge Maureen Dunsing set bond at $1,000 with 10% to apply. In addition to the Felony charge, Rice has also been charged with one count of Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct.

It is alleged that on September 30, 2020, Rice called the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to express his displeasure with violations he received from the Authority. It is alleged that during the conversation, Rice became agitated and that he threatened to shoot Tollway Authority and Illinois Department of Transportation employees.

Following the conversation, the employee informed her supervisor of the alleged conversation.

The same day, Illinois State Troopers located Rice at his home in Melrose Park and after briefly barricading himself in the home, Rice surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody.

“Employees have every right to feel safe, free from threats and intimidation, while at work,” commented Berlin. “Any threat, or even the perception of a threat, made against a government employee, will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I would like to thank the Illinois State Police for their work on this case which as well as the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and the employee involved for bringing this matter to our attention. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Miner for his work in securing charges against Mr. Rice.”

"The Illinois State Police take threats against Tollway employees and any government employee very seriously and will investigate threats to the safety of employees who work on behalf of the people of the state of Illinois,” said Illinois State Police Capt. Jason Bradley, District 15 Commander.

Rice’s next court date is scheduled for October 26, 2020 for arraignment in front of Judge McGimpsey.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This press release was produced by the DuPage County State’s Attorney Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.