Chicago O'Hare threat: Passenger tells employee they have bomb in bag, sparking emergency response

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There was a large emergency response at O'Hare airport early Tuesday morning, after a ticketed passenger told an airline employee there was a bomb in his bag, TSA said.

CPD became aware just before 5:45 a.m. that the passenger had told an airline employee behind the inside counter there was a pipe bomb in his bag and then left the scene.
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Chicago police cleared the area, and passengers from two checkpoints in Terminal 1 were redirected to another checkpoint.

The bag was cleared by 6:50 a.m., and screening operations have resumed as normal, TSA said.

SEE MORE: Holiday travel weather forecast: As winter storm bears down, some scramble to change plans

Nothing suspicious was located, and no injuries were reported, CPD said.



The suspect was taken into custody, and charges are pending, Chicago police said.
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The airport was already buzzing with activity Tuesday morning, as some holiday travelers rushed to get out of Chicago ahead of a looming winter storm.

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