Waukegan, IL – A 21-year-old Beach Park man was arrested Thursday night after he allegedly set his family’s home on fire following a heated argument, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
According to sheriff’s officials, deputies first responded around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to a domestic dispute at a home on the 40100 block of North Lone Oak Road in Beach Park. Family members told authorities the man had been antagonizing others during a Thanksgiving gathering. Deputies deescalated the situation and no crime was committed at that time, officials said.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., deputies were called back to the home after reports of a fire. Firefighters arriving at the scene saw a man—matching the suspect’s description—armed with a knife and standing near the roadway before fleeing, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies used a perimeter and a K-9 team to track the suspect’s scent, which eventually led to a storage facility on the 39400 block of North Lewis Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Sheriff’s detectives determined that after the earlier argument, family members told the man he was going to be removed from the home. Investigators say he allegedly returned, went to his bedroom near the garage, used an accelerant, and set the room on fire before leaving again. Heavy smoke prompted the family to evacuate.
The home sustained major fire damage, authorities said.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg called the outcome “a blessing” given no injuries were reported. He praised deputies and local fire crews for their quick response during the busy holiday.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of Aggravated Arson (Class X Felony) and Residential Arson (Class 1 Felony). The suspect is scheduled to appear in court this morning.
