
A man was arrested after prosecutors say he called 911 while on a Metra train near Highland Park to falsely report a bomb on the train, which prompted an evacuation.
Daniel C. Borowski, 67, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was charged with two counts of giving a false bomb threat, false alarm to 911 and obstructing a railroad business.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Shanley-Roberts said a 911 call was received from Borowski around 11:15 p.m. on July 15.
Borowski mentioned there was a man on a train, which was traveling from Kenosha to Chicago, with a bomb.
Borowski again said there was a man on board with a bomb but said he was not in the same train car as the man, Shanley-Roberts said.
The Metra Police Department and Highland Park Police Department responded after the train was stopped at the Braeside station in Highland Park.
Witnesses identified Borowski and the train was evacuated and searched by a canine for explosives.
Witnesses told officers they heard Borowski mention “bomb” while on the train, Shanley-Roberts said.
Officers confirmed the phone used to call 911 was the phone that Borowski physically had with him.
Prosecutors said Borowski has a history of bail jumping and disorderly conduct charges, including making false police calls.
Lake County Judge Donna-Jo Vorderstrasse ordered Borowski held on a $75,000 bond.
During Borowski’s second court appearance, a judge questioned Borowski’s fitness to stand trial and ordered a fitness evaluation, court records show.
Borowski remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $7,500 cash in order to be released.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday for a status of fitness hearing.