6 Teens Charged for Setting Off 'MacGyver Bomb' Near School Playground, Parking Lot

Photo caption: Six teens are accused of setting off a MacGyver at Indian Knoll Elementary school in unincorporated West Chicago.

Six teens face charges for setting off a “MacGyver Bomb” at Indian Knoll Elementary School in unincorporated West Chicago, police said Friday.

The teens, who live in West Chicago, Carol Stream and Malta, have been charged with one count of disorderly conduct and one count of reckless conduct, according to a DuPage County Sheriff’s Office press release. Both charges are class A misdemeanors.

The sheriff’s office was called to the elementary school on May 1 for a report of a plastic bottle that exploded near the parking lot and playground of the school.

Police searched the grounds and did not find any other active devices, according to the news release.

After following up on several leads, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the six teens.

Police said the teens did not mean to target the school and did not intend to harm any student, according to the news release. The incident was isolated, according to the news release.

“Thoughtless actions such as this could have severe unintended consequences,” said DuPage County Sheriff Zaruba. “I would like to remind every citizen that if they should see any suspicious activity in their neighborhood, parks or school grounds they should immediately contact their local police agency.”