Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the arrest of two 17 year old males responsible for multiple fires in the rural McHenry County area. Since May 29, 2012, the Sheriff’s Office has experienced six fires in rural Woodstock, Marengo and Harvard involving hay barns. In addition to the fires in McHenry County, Kane and Boone Counties and Lakewood have also experienced barn fires in their respective jurisdictions.
An anonymous tip from the public resulted in the identification of two suspects. The two males were interviewed on Friday, August 10, 2012 and admitted to their involvement with the fires along with multiple criminal acts within the City of Crystal Lake. The fires covered a span of over sixty days and over an estimated one million dollars in property damage.
The two suspects have been charged as adults for arson, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property for five fires. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be forthcoming. Along with the Sheriff’s Office, Crystal Lake PD, McHenry County Conservation Police, Huntley PD, Algonquin PD, Cary PD, Crystal Lake Fire, Woodstock Fire, Algonquin Fire, Marengo Fire, Huntley Fire, SEECOM, ATF, and the Illinois State Fire Marshall assisted in the investigation.
Following is a list of the fires the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has linked to the 17 year olds:
• 13900 Block of Harmony Rd., Marengo Date of Fire: 06/29/2012 10:36 P.M.
• 13900 Block of Pleasant Valley Rd., Woodstock Date of Fire: 07/10/2012 10:06 P.M.
• 11800 Block of Pleasant Valley, Rd., Lakewood Date of Fire: 07/03/2012 9:59 P.M.
• 22500 Block of River Rd., Marengo Date of Fire: 07/23/2012 11:25 A.M.
• 9800 Block of Lucas Rd., Crystal Lake Date of Fire: 07/24/2012 9:20 P.M.
Arrested: Charges:
Joseph Gerdes, 17 years old Arson (Class 2)
868 Coventry Criminal Damage to Property (Class 3)
Crystal Lake, IL Criminal Trespass to Property (Class A)
Andrew Wiegand, 17 years old Arson (Class 2)
1472 Bridgedale Rd Criminal Damage to Property (Class 3)
Crystal Lake, IL Criminal Trespass to Property (Class A)
The charges against the above named defendants are merely allegations against him. The above named defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
