Crime & Courts

Bond set for Bolingbrook man accused of setting Naperville martial arts studio on fire

Defendant was a former student of the studio, officials say

A $400,000 bond was set this week for a Bolingbrook man charged with setting fire to United Martial Arts studio in Naperville, where officials said he was once a student.

On Thursday, Judge Alex McGimpsey set bond for Andrew Wagner, 28, of the 100 block of Red Bud Court after Wagner was charged with aggravated arson, arson and criminal damage to property in connection with the incident, according to a news release from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

At 9:42 p.m. March 26, officers responded to United Martial Arts studio, 1260 Chicago Ave., and found firefighters already on scene, according to the release. The business was in flames and smoke was emanating from the building.

“An investigation into the fire found forced entry into the establishment, as well as accelerant within the business,” according to the release.

Naperville police identified Wagner, a former student of the studio, as a person of interest in connection with the fire, according to the release.

On Tuesday, Wagner voluntarily went to the Naperville Police Department for an interview and was subsequently taken into custody, the state’s attorney’s office said.

“Thankfully, no one was present at the studio when he allegedly started the fire and no patrons in any of the adjacent businesses were injured,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Wagner’s next court date is scheduled for May 5.

Felix Sarver

Felix Sarver

Felix Sarver covers crime and courts for The Herald-News