"Emoji threat" on Facebook lands NYC teen behind bars

NEW YORK - A New York City teenager was arrested after he allegedly threatened police in a Facebook post featuring digital cartoon images -- aka emojis, reports CBS New York.

Police say the 17-year-old posted a message on Facebook on January 15 that read, "(Expletive) run up on me, he gunna (sic) get blown down."

The words were followed by emojis of a police officer and three guns pointing at him.

Authorities say he also posted expletive-laced messages apparently referencing several police precincts in Brooklyn and Queens.

"You have to take all these threats seriously," retired NYPD Detective Sgt. Joseph Giacalone told CBS New York.

Giacalone says some people do not realize that Facebook posts are not without consequences.

"You post this stuff on social media, which is kind of is like, 'Just look at me,'" Giacalone said. "They don't understand the consequences of what their actions are."

Investigators say when detectives arrived at the teen's address to arrest him, they found drug paraphernalia, marijuana and a weapon.

The 17-year-old is charged with making terroristic threats, aggravated harassment, and possession of a weapon and drugs.