Lakemoor man accused of creating homemade bomb with intent to blow up alleged sex offender
by Sam Borcia
Published January 7, 2026 11:37 AM
Prosecutors say a Lakemoor man created a homemade explosive device, which required the bomb squad to respond, and they believe he intended to blow up an alleged (Registered Person).
Joseph A. Savino, 43, of Lakemoor, was charged with one count of possession of an explosive or incendiary device, a Class 1 felony.
The Lakemoor Police Department responded on October 18 to the 31800 block of Darrell Road in Lakemoor for a report of a burglary.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said a caretaker arrived at the home and found the back door open with miscellaneous items on the porch.
Officers located a plastic bag and a canvas bag hanging on the handle of the back door.
A note was left on the door frame that said, “I will ree pant if you want” and “there is a child m**ester right down the street look him up.” Savino’s inmate identification card was recovered at the scene, Theis said.
The door was open and inside the residence there was spray paint on the walls consisting of letters and artwork.
Officers took the bags back to the police department where an inventory search was performed.
Theis said an officer located a black bag inside a plastic bag that contained what was later determined to be a homemade explosive device.
The bomb squad was called to the department and they X-rayed the device and confirmed it could be detonated with a flame on the wick.
The X-ray showed there were nails in the device that would act as projectiles if the device were detonated, Theis said.
The bomb squad removed the device and transported it to a controlled environment where they confirmed it was a working device.
Savino was transported to the Lakemoor Police Department on November 24 after being arrested for felony retail theft.
Theis said Savino was interviewed regarding the explosive device case and said he made the device for the purpose of “shooting it off to watch the colors.”
Savino said he went to the house on Darrell Road and was using the home for surveillance of the (registrant), Theis said.
Savino said he had been to the house a few times to surveil the (Registrant) and admitted to using confetti popper in front of the (registrant’s) house.
Savino also admitted to writing and leaving the note and admitted that everything in the bags belonged to him, Theis said.
The crime lab located fingerprints on the components of the device after it was disassembled by the bomb squad.
Theis said the owner of the home on Darrell Road told officers they did not know Savino and did not give him permission to be in the residence.
“This defendant is showing a fixation on an alleged (registrant) that is supposed to live in his neighborhood. He broke into a house and used it as a surveillance post so he could watch the (registrant),” Theis said.
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