A suspect is in custody in connection with threats made to Valparaiso High School three times this month, culminating with threats to a number of Porter County districts and Hobart schools on Thursday, according to a release from the Valparaiso Police Department.
“As a new threat was being communicated (Thursday) to several area school corporations, the VPD was hard at work, with the support of numerous local and federal agencies,” Capt. Joe Hall, public information officer for Valparaiso police, said in a statement released Thursday night. “The dedication and commitment have led to a 16-year-old male suspect from Ohio being taken into custody in connection with these incidents in Valparaiso.”
The investigation is ongoing and further information will be released when available.
The Valparaiso community has been alerted to potential threats at Valparaiso High School, with reports of possible violence called in on Jan. 9, 17 and again on Thursday. The Jan. 9 incident prompted the school to go on lockdown, with students sheltering in their classrooms, and then the less restrictive lockout before school was dismissed for the day shortly before 11 a.m.
“The threats, communicated by phone, have interrupted school days by panicking our students, staff and parents,” Hall said, adding protocols were followed during each of the incidents.
Thursday, in addition to Valparaiso High School, Portage High School and the Hobart schools also received noncredible threats, police said. Portage High School was placed on lockdown, then lockout before students were dismissed in the late morning. The other schools were temporarily placed on lockout, so no one could leave or enter the building.
“Multiple investigators have worked exhaustively to identify and locate a suspect. These investigations are tedious, filled with multiple layers of deception on the part of the violator, with details that take large amounts of time to analyze,” Hall said, adding often, such investigations can take months.
The Valparaiso Police Department, Hall said, “is extremely proud of the effort and collaboration of all involved in the investigation,” particularly the investigations division and its “remarkable” efforts the past few weeks.
Other agencies assisting include: U.S. Secret Service, Chicago Field Office and Forensic Services Division in Washington, D.C.; FBI, Indianapolis Field Division; Porter County Prosecutor’s Office; Porter County Sheriff’s Department; Porter County 911 Central Communications Center; Valparaiso Fire Department; and Valparaiso Community Schools.
