Teenager charged with making bomb threat at Highland Walmart

A Highland teenager is facing a felony charge for allegedly making a bomb threat that caused a 3 1/2-hour evacuation of the Highland Walmart on Monday night.

Ryan M. Unger, 19, was charged with disorderly conduct, a Class 3 felony, on Wednesday afternoon in Madison County Circuit Court.

Highland police Detective Damian Feeny said that Unger had been shopping for groceries, including chicken and paper towels, when he said that there was a bomb inside the building.

“He said it loud enough that a witness heard him, and it alarmed her,” Feeny said.

According a Highland Police Department press release, police received two separate calls at 7:32 p.m. on Monday indicating that two male patrons were leaving the store after stating there was a bomb in the building.

Police ordered the evacuation of the store and started an investigation. Through cooperation from Walmart and a couple witnesses, the suspects and their vehicle were quickly identified, police said.

“One of (the witnesses) paid attention and called, and the other one got their plate number,” said HPD Lt. Chris Conrad.

Unger and a 17-year-old boy from Highland, along with their vehicle, were taken into custoday at 8:49 p.m. at the parking lot of Highland’s Tru-Buy, 610 Broadway, according to HPD.

The Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad went through the store, eventually determining the bomb threat was a hoax. The store was cleared for re-entry at 10:55 p.m.

Feeny said the 17-year-old had only given Unger a ride to the store and was not involved in making any threats.

“The juvenile didn’t say anything. He didn’t have anything to do with it, except he was with (Unger),” Feeny said.

However, the juvenile was charged with city ordinance violations for allegedly possessing cannabis and drug paraphernalia, Feeny said.

In addition to the disorderly conduct charge, Unger was also charged with possession of cannabis. His bond was set at $20,000. He remained in custody at the Madison County Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.

Before Monday’s incident, Highland police had two other felony charges pending again Unger. Both were filed on May 13 for property damage and involved him allegedly shooting out vehicle windows with a BB gun, Feeny said. His bond in both those cases was set at $50,000.

This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 11:45 AM with the headline "Teenager charged with making bomb threat at Highland Walmart."