A suspect is in custody in connection with an anthrax scare occurring at Kishwaukee Community College last week.

At 3 a.m. Wednesday, Timothy V. Kato, 23, of Chicago, was arrested at the I-88 Oasis near DeKalb. Kato is being charged with two counts of felony disorderly conduct for “transmission of letters threatening anthrax contamination.”

On Jan. 7, two letters containing a white granular substance were delivered to two Kishwaukee Community College faculty members’ mailboxes via the KCC mailroom.

When the letters were opened, the substance fell out and the mailroom was notified by the faculty member. Upon receiving the call, the mailroom was shut down and evacuated and the substance was bagged for analysis, KCC President Dave Louis said.

“We view this as an act of terrorism, not a prank,” Louis said. “That’s why we take this very seriously and act accordingly.”

The DCSO was notified of the letters and immediately began an investigation in collaboration with the Kishwaukee in-house data systems, DeKalb County Sheriff Roger A. Scott said.

“We have always and will always cooperate with the police departments because these situations are no joke,” Louis said.

The DCSO conducted laboratory tests on the white substance contained in the envelopes, and it was determined to be silica sand, which is commonly found in small packets that reduce hydration in shoes.

No details have been released on how the DCSO linked Kato to the crime, but Scott said they learned he was a suspect from students and faculty members at KCC.

The investigation and arrest of Kato took nine days to complete because he was hard to track down, Scott added.

“The investigation took awhile because it was hard finding the suspect,” Scott said. “He had a Chicago address so we couldn’t really get hold of him.”

Kato’s whereabouts were learned by information obtained by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. An officer was than sent to the oasis, where the arrest was made.

No motive for the threats has been determined, Scott said.

Later this week, the state’s attorney will be in contact with U.S attorneys to determine if Kato is going to face federal or state charges, Scott said.

Currently, Kato is being held in the DeKalb County Jail with a bond set at $10,000.