Teenager arrested for bomb threats to Niles West

Samuel Breitberg, 18, of Lincolnwood, is charged with making bomb threat to Niles West High School in November. | Courtesy Skokie Police

Updated: April 1, 2013 6:21AM

A Lincolnwood teenager has been charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct in connection to “multiple bomb threats” that were directed in November at Niles West High School.

Samuel Breitberg, 18, of 6853 Lamon Ave., Lincolnwood, allegedly made the bomb threats Nov. 20, Skokie police said.

Police said ongoing investigations with the cooperation of Niles Township High School District 219 led to the arrest. Authorities were able to learn that threatening communications and a phone call received by Niles West personnel were from a current student, police said.

“The Skokie Police Department values its community partnerships with District 219 and other institutions in the village of Skokie,” police said in a statement released Friday.District 219 informed the public of the arrest through a notice on its website.

The notice said the district is taking disciplinary action against the student. Two copies of a note were found that threatened the school with a bomb, and the security desk received a threatening phone call, according to the district.

“The safety and security of our students is our top priority,” said Superintendent Nanciann Gatta in a prepared statement. “We take any threat to our schools very seriously. Thanks to our partnership with the Skokie Police Department, we were able to find the source of this threat, and there will be serious consequences. This is an important reminder that making any kind of threat against our schools is no light matter – in fact, making a bomb threat is classified as a felony.”

Skokie police’s crime tip hotline is available for residents to leave non-emergency anonymous information. The telephone number is (847) 933-TIPS (8477) and is available 24 hours a day. More information can be found at www.skokie.org.~.

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