Man accused of threatening tollway employees

A Melrose Park man is facing a felony charge for making a threatening phone call to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, authorities said.

Edward Rice, 34, of the 800 block of Joyce Street, has been charged with one count of electronic harassment, which is a Class 4 felony. He also has been charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

DuPage County prosecutors said in a news release that Rice called the tollway Wednesday to express his displeasure with violations he received from the authority. It's alleged that Rice became agitated during the conversation and threatened to shoot tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation employees, authorities said.

The employee informed her supervisor after the conversation. Later that day, state troopers located Rice at his home. After briefly barricading himself in the home, Rice surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody, officials said.

Rice appeared in bond court Thursday morning. He was released after posting 10% of his $1,000 bail.

His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 26 for arraignment.