Chair with Restraints in Chicago Church Basement Deemed Prank After Police Investigation
A chair with restraints discovered in the basement of St. Christina Roman Catholic Church in Mount Greenwood, Chicago, initially prompted a police investigation but was later identified by church officials as a prank.
Chicago, IL, September 3, 2026 — A police investigation was launched after a chair equipped with restraints was found in the basement of St. Christina Roman Catholic Church, located in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago. The discovery led to an immediate response from law enforcement authorities.
Following the initial police involvement, church officials at St. Christina Roman Catholic Church identified the item as a prank. The circumstances surrounding its placement and the identity of those responsible for the prank were not immediately disclosed by church officials. Details regarding the duration or nature of the prank, and whether any specific individuals were involved or identified, were not provided.
The basement area where the chair was found is part of the church’s facilities. The police department’s involvement indicated a need to ascertain the nature and potential threat of the discovered object. However, the subsequent determination by church leadership that it was a prank concluded the active investigation from a public safety perspective. The specific timeline of the discovery and the subsequent identification of the item as a prank were not detailed. Information regarding the materials used for the restraints or the specific design of the chair was also not made public. The church administration has not released further statements regarding the incident or measures potentially being taken in response to the prank.
Story summarized from the original created by Jim Lynch on blockclubchicago.org, see more information here.
