Boy, 15, charged with setting fire to recreation facility in Villa Park

VILLA PARK, Ill. —  A 15-year-old boy has been charged after setting a fire at a recreation facility in Villa Park, according to the DuPage County state’s attorney.

The teenager faces one count of Arson (Class 2 Felony), one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Misdemeanor Obstructing a Peace Officer.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced Wednesday that the teen, of Villa Park, is accused of breaking into Jefferson Pool, located at 341 North Harvard Avenue, and setting fire to a desk located inside the recreation facility.

The teen appeared at a detention hearing Wednesday where a judge ordered that he be detained until at least his next court appearance.

According to the state’s attorney, police went to the facility around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday after a surveillance camera captured the teen allegedly swinging an object at the window.

Upon arrival, officers observed the light of a fire and the teen, who was wearing a black hoodie, a face covering and black paint on his face, inside the building.

Officers found the teen allegedly hiding inside a locked bathroom stall and allegedly in possession of a lighter, as well as a backpack that contained a hammer, hatchet, pry bar, three pairs of scissors, tin snips, and a small dumbbell with rope tied to it.

An investigation of the incident found that the teen allegedly used the dumbbell with the rope to break a window, then was able to gain access to the building. Once inside, he then allegedly set fire to a desk, damaging the desk, a computer keyboard, paper, and the carpet.

Police placed the teen in custody, and it is further alleged that he attempted to pull and run away from officers but was unsuccessful, according to the state’s attorney.

“The allegations that a 15-year-old boy disguised himself and broke into a popular government-owned facility and set fire to a desk and office equipment are extremely disturbing,” Berlin said. “Thankfully, Villa Park authorities were alerted to the situation very early before the fire had a chance to spread and possibly cause extensive damage to the facility. I thank the Villa Park Police and Fire Departments for their quick response to this matter. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Katharine Walker and Michael Paup for their efforts on this case.”

The teen’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 29.

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