Daniel Mathews arson suspect (Mount Prospect Police Deparmtent photo).
On Monday, May 9, 2016, the Mount Prospect Police Department charged Daniel J. Mathews, 18 years old, of 310 South Hi Lusi Avenue, Mount Prospect and one 17-year-old male juvenile of Mount Prospect with one felony count of Arson each, in connection with the destruction of a portable toilet on April 30, 2016.
Based on six fires of portable toilets located in various Mount Prospect parks that had occurred within the past nine months, a member of the Mount Prospect Police Department’s Special Operations Unit was conducting surveillance near Fairview School Park on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at approximately 10:00 PM. The officer observed two male teenagers, later identified as Daniel J. Mathews and a male juvenile, walking in the area and approached them to find out the reason they were in the area. While speaking with the two teenagers, the officer learned they were in possession of multiple disposable lighters.
Upon further questioning of Mathews and the juvenile, they both admitted to lighting woodchips on fire and placing them in the portable toilet in Melas Park on April 30, 2016, causing approximately $2,000.00 worth of damage to the portable toilet.
Mathews was brought to a bond hearing on Monday, May 9, 2016 at the 3rd District Courthouse of Cook County in Rolling Meadows. His bond was set at $5,000.00 “D” and his next court appearance is June 2, 2016 at 10:30 AM in room 108. The 17 year old was charged and will appear in juvenile court.
The public is reminded that criminal charges are not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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