A quiet New Lenox block turned into a full-on emergency scene Wednesday evening after police rushed to the home of Pope Leo XIV's brother in response to an anonymous bomb threat. Neighbors were told to evacuate, a nearby road was shut down and officers set up a secure perimeter while specialized teams combed the area. In the end, no explosives were found, no one was hurt and authorities declared there was no immediate danger.
What investigators found
Officers were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and conducted a detailed search of the home and surrounding property, according to a press release cited by NBC Chicago. Investigators ultimately determined the threat was not credible and reported that no explosive devices or hazardous materials turned up during the sweep. The department said specialized units, including Will County Sheriff's Office bomb-sniffing K9s, assisted in the response and that the case remains under active investigation.
Scene and response
Police said the anonymous threat arrived by email just before 6:30 p.m., and officers quickly notified neighbors and asked them to leave their homes out of what they described as an abundance of caution, Patch reported. The Will County bomb squad and detection K9s were called in to check the property, and the road near the home on Sojourn Road was shut down while crews worked. Residents were allowed back into the area once the scene was cleared.
Local context
The house belongs to John Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, who lives in New Lenox; the Prevost family grew up in nearby Dolton, NBC Chicago reports. Another brother, Louis Prevost, lives in Florida, and John has previously spoken with local outlets about how the family has reacted since his sibling's election.
Legal consequences
Police stressed that filing false reports of this sort is a serious offense that can bring criminal charges, and urged anyone with information to contact the New Lenox Police Department at 815-485-2500, according to Patch. Authorities said they are continuing to track down the origin of the email threat.
