Lisle police investigate small explosions near schools

Lisle police say they're looking for whoever set off about a dozen small homemade explosive devices, commonly called "MacGyver" bombs, around 9 p.m. Tuesday near Schiesher Elementary School, 5205 Kingston Ave.

Sgt. Randall Johnson said officers responded to a loud noise complaint near Lisle Junior High School, 5207 Center Ave., and then heard small explosions across the street near the Schiesher parking lot.

He said officers searched the area and found the remains of about a dozen one-liter plastic water bottles containing household cleaning products that, when mixed, cause small explosions.

All but one of the devices had been detonated.

No one was injured and Johnson said there were no suspects as of Wednesday morning.

Johnson said the devices are potentially dangerous and can easily explode if jostled. He cautioned anyone finding such a device to call 911.

Lisle Unit District 202 Superintendent Patricia Wernet sent an e-mail to parents Wednesday morning informing them of the incident and said authorities will "continue to monitor our facilities and supervise school grounds."

"MacGyver bombs" are made by combining common chemicals inside a glass or plastic bottle. They got the name because of their similarity to those created in a long-canceled television series, "MacGyver."

Johnson urged anyone with information about the Lisle incident to call investigators at (630) 271-4200.