A Vernon Hills man is facing charges after he made terrorism threats in online posts, according to police.
Ryan Kang, 26, was arrested on July 18 after he posted concerning threats online against Vernon Hills High School, Willow Creek Church, and some out-of-state residents. He also referenced school shootings, bombings and other acts of violence, police said.
Police said that they conducted an investigation and interviews, including with Kang, and determined that he did not have the ability or the means to carry out the threats. He did admit to posting the threats, police said.
“Social media and internet threats have become far too common,” Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick L. Kreis said. “These criminal acts disrupt our daily lives and promote fear in our communities. They will not be tolerated.”
According to court records, Kang was ordered detained while he awaits trial. He is charged with two counts of making a false threat of terrorism, which is a Class 1 felony and potentially carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Child sex abuse images
A Lake Villa area man was arrested on allegations that he possessed numerous images of child sexual abuse materials, according to authorities.
Christian J. Phillips was charged after police executed a search warrant and found the illegal images on his cell phone, police said.
The investigation began when detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office learned that child pornography was being shared from an electronic device in the 39100 block of North Rustic Drive.
After conducting the search, authorities charged Phillips with seven counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
“We remain committed to identifying these offenders, holding them accountable, and working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the children of Lake County from exploitation,” Sheriff John Idleburg said.
Vehicle burglaries
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it used drones and police dogs to track and arrest a man for burglaries in the Beach Park area.
The sheriff’s office said it responded Tuesday to the 10000 block of West Ford Avenue after receiving reports that several unlocked vehicles had been burglarized.
As police investigated, they learned from a victim that someone was trying to use her stolen credit card at a gas station near Sheridan and Wadsworth roads. Police went there and learned the suspect had ridden off on a bicycle after the store declined the purchase.
Armed with a description, police launched a drone and called in two police dogs to track the suspect. After about 30 minutes of tracking, one of the dogs traced Adam R. Turner, who was inside a drain culvert.
Turner, who has no permanent address, was taken into custody and charged with the car burglaries and an additional burglary of a Beach Park store that happened Monday, police said.
Mental health crisis
Sheriff’s deputies were able to de-escalate a tense situation involving an armed man who was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Dispatchers received a 911 call on July 20 from someone whose loved one was experiencing the crisis. Following the dispatcher’s instructions, the caller and children inside the home were able to exit safely.
Police arrived and were able to resolve the situation using de-escalation techniques. After speaking with the man for about 10 minutes, officers convinced him to exit the residence unarmed.
He was brought to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. Police took possession of three firearms for safekeeping.
“This is the second incident in just over a month where our deputies have been able to de-escalate a potentially armed, dangerous situation involving someone experiencing a mental health crisis,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “Our goal is always to keep our community safe by utilizing our skills, training, and compassion. I am proud that yet another dangerous situation was resolved without the use of force.”
