Portage Teen Arrested For Making Threats On Facebook
PORTAGE, Ind. (CBS) -- A 19-year-old Portage man was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Thursday for felony intimidation after reportedly posting threats on Facebook.
The father of one of Eric Rizley's friends contacted police at 7:41 a.m. after seeing Rizley had posted: "Watch out portage people might be dying soon," at about 4 a.m.
Rizley's mother and several other people had commented on the post. Rizley's responses, according to the police report, included: "No seriously imma go on a rampage," "bang bang" and "No this is it I'm bout to flip out."
Three officers went to Rizley's family home, in the 3000 block of Angelina, and persuaded the young man to let them inside, assuring him they knew from the smell that he had been smoking marijuana but they weren't concerned about that.
Rizley told police he had no intention of carrying out his threats.
That's exactly what Rizley's grandmother, who lives next door, told CBS 2 off camera, saying her grandson would never act out with a weapon even though she admits he has issues with anger.
Still friends and neighbors, who heard about his online outburst, aren't as convinced.
"Knowing what's gone on in other parts of the country, you get concerned," said neighbor Tom Aldrich.
"Hopefully this will be the beginning of him receiving help," said Portage Assistant Police Chief Bill Mesich.
A visiting friend told police Rizley had "serious anger issues" and showed several holes he reportedly had punched in the wall the day before, while drunk. He also said he did not think the teen would actually hurt anyone.
The person who made the initial police report described the 2012 Portage High School graduate, who works as a dishwasher, as "a kid who was teased a lot in school, but not a bad kid."
As of Friday night, hat robbery remains unsolved as Rizley now faces a charge of felony intimidation.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
