March 28, 2024
Local News

Update: DeKalb police ID suspect in arson attempts near Resource Parkway apartments

DeKALB – A suspect has been identified in connection with multiple attempted arsons in the past few days near Resource Parkway and Meadow Creek Drive, according to DeKalb police.

DeKalb Police Cmdr. Steve Lekkas said a male teenager was in custody as of about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday. He said whatever charges that may arise going forward have yet to be determined.

"We are still investigating," Lekkas said.

The update comes after DeKalb police confirmed Tuesday afternoon they were investigating a report of a teen suspect trying to light buildings on fire near an apartment building in the 3300 block of Resource Parkway. That followed an arson attempt in the same area within the past few days, police said.

DeKalb police officials took to social media Wednesday afternoon and shared photos of the suspect alleged to be connected to the incident, asking the public for help in identifying them. Lekkas said that, minutes after the posts were published, police received a call of someone recognizing the person in the photo and the teenager was then brought into custody.

Initial reports circulated on social media suggested that the suspect was a 16-year-old male. Lekkas had said Tuesday age and gender of the suspect were not yet confirmed.

Lekkas had said there have been three different incidents of alleged arson in the area of the apartments on Resource Parkway and that police believe they are related. He had said a witness had interrupted what was happening Tuesday and the offender ran before police made it to the scene and put out the small fires.

Lekkas had said the property damage from the incidents appears to be minimal. He had said it's his understanding there are no injuries to tenants or officers from the incidents and residents have not been displaced due to the attempted arsons.

Sycamore Police Department also helped in the investigation.

Anyone with information on these incidents can contact police at 815-673-7603, or DeKalb County CrimeStoppers at 815-895-3272 or crimestoppers@dekalbcounty.org.

Katie Finlon

Katie Finlon

Katie Finlon covers local government and breaking news for DeKalb County in Illinois. She has covered local government news for Shaw Media since 2018 and has had bylines in Daily Chronicle, Kendall County Record newspapers, Northwest Herald and in public radio over the years.