Case Dismissed Against Woman Accused Of Threatening Fireworks Attacks

TINLEY PARK, IL — A charge against a woman accused of threatening attacks on local fireworks displays in 2022 has been dropped, officials said Wednesday.

Jeanette Larue, 51, was accused last year of sending text messages intimating attacks on fireworks displays in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Lockport and Joliet. She was charged with disorderly conduct.

Authorities said the messages were sent to her nephew, who immediately reported the messages to Tinley Park police, Patch previously reported.

Police quickly determined the threats to be false prior to the start of the fireworks events. Larue admitted to sending messages to her nephew but denied texting anything threatening, police said. Police were able to find the texts on her phone and took her into custody. In court in August 2022, Larue denied any wrongdoing, noting a family dispute at the root of the incident.

Tinley Park Police Chief Matthew Walsh on Wednesday confirmed the Cook County State's Attorney's office had dropped the charge. Police were not notified of the outcome until afterward, he said.

It's unclear why the charge was dropped, Walsh added.

Police were on heightened watch during the July 2022 holiday, after a mass shooting during a parade in Highland Park. Rifle-wielding Highland Park High School dropout Robert "Bobby" Crimo III fired more than 80 shots at paradegoers from a rooftop, striking more than 50 people, authorities allege. Seven were killed; 30 were wounded.