Two teenage boys have been charged with a series of five arsons in northwestern McHenry County that caused about $1 million damage to hay barns in rural areas.
Joseph Gerdes, 17, of the 800 block of Coventry Lane in Crystal Lake; and Andrew Wiegand, 17, of the 1400 block of Bridgedale Road in Crystal Lake, were charged with one count each of arson, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office linked the boys to the five arsons in McHenry County, and they are also being investigated for other blazes set in Kane and Boone counties.
The fires the boys have been charged with happened June 29 in the 13900 block of Harmony Road in Marengo; July 10 in the 13900 block of Pleasant Valley Road in Woodstock; July 3 in the 11800 block of Pleasant Valley Road in Lakewood; July 23 in the 22500 block of River Road in Marengo; 9:20 p.m. July 24 in the 9800 block of Lucas Road in Crystal Lake. All were between 9:30 and 11:30 p.m.
An anonymous tip helped identify the suspects, who admitted their involvement with the fires and multiple other criminal acts within Crystal Lake during interrogation Friday, police said.
Crystal Lake police said the boys were allegedly responsible for setting June 12 fires to a couch left out for trash removal in the 1300 block of Loch Lomond Drive and a mattress set on fire left on the parkway in the 1400 block of Candlewood Drive.
Crystal Lake police also allegedly linked the boys to five separate acts of tampering with a firehydrant on Beford and Sutherland drives on June 26.
Charges are pending in the Crystal Lake incidents, police said.
The blazes caused a total of about $1 million in damage, sheriff's police said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:27:58 GMT
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:55:58 GMT
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
205 N. Michigan Avenue Ground Floor Chicago, IL 60601 Station Operator: (312) 565-5532 Newsroom: (312)565-5533
