'MacGyver'-type bombs detonated in McHenry

The Cook County bomb squad deactivated a pair of "MacGyver"-type bombs that a McHenry resident found outside his home Friday morning, police said.

The man discovered two homemade bombs at about 9:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of Park Lane within the Lakeland Park subdivision, said Sgt. Dan Kreassig of the McHenry Police Department.

One was in the front yard; the other was near the man's house, Kreassig said.

"They would be potentially dangerous being by the house and other residences," Kreassig said. "If you would have a child that would find them, that could have been dangerous."

Both were made of metal piping - one bomb measured 12 inches while the other was 6 inches, Kreassig said.

The man called police, who subsequently secured the scene, blocked surrounding streets and evacuated six families from the area, Kreassig said.

The Cook County bomb squad deactivated the homemade devices without incident.

They used a gun to shoot off the bombs' top ends, thus releasing the pressure, Kreassig said.

McHenry police, with federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, have launched an investigation into the incident.

Police have made no arrests and were not releasing suspect information Friday night.

Anyone with information about Friday's incident should call police (815) 363-2200 or the anonymous tip line at (815) 363-2124.