Buffalo Grove Resident Charged with Arson, Accused of Setting Fire at Home with Family Inside

Buffalo Grove house fire crime scene where a family member was charged with Aggravated Arson for allegedly starting a house fire while his family members were inside on Thursday night, September 19, 2024 (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ

Buffalo Grove police officers arrested a young male adult from Buffalo Grove just over 24 hours after firefighters responded to a fire at his home in the block of 900 Lucinda Drive, just south of the Fitness Center at Buffalo Grove Park and Mike Rylko Park on Thursday evening, September 19, 2024.

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics from Buffalo Grove responded about 7:16 p.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024 to a report of smoke in the attic of a 2-story home with black smoke coming out of the home. There was also a report that two children were inside the home, and that pets were inside the home. The fire call was upgraded to a “Working Fire” Code 4 by about 7:19 p.m.

All occupants were safely evacuated from the home. Buffalo Grove firefighters on arrival reported smoke coming from the back of the home, second floor and attic. Fire command reported it appeared as if everyone was safely out of the home.

The fire was declared under control by about 7:31 p.m.

Police on scene identified the address as a crime scene, and were aware of an individual, Evan Rude, with a criminal history, living at the address of the house. Evan Rude’s criminal history included an incident involving a suspicious fire in September 2023 at the same house, and a separate false call to 9-1-1 reporting that a child was seen swimming, and apparently in danger, in a pond in Buffalo Grove in February 2024. The false 9-1-1 report caused a multi-hour underwater search involving mutual aid fire departments with SONAR scanning equipment. In 2022, Evan Rude was charged with Reckless Conduct/Bodily harm for an incident that occurred on July 22, 2022, according to Lake County Circuit Court records. Evan Rude was placed on probation with special conditions, was fined, and was instructed to abide by an Order of Protection.

After the fire was extinguished Thursday night, September 19, 2024, Evan Rude told CARDINAL NEWS at the fire scene, while across the street from his home, that “there was re-modeling work being done at the home.” He also warned of a hornet’s nest in a tree on a low hanging branch nearby. A few minutes later, Evan Rude was seen doubled over and retching in the parkway across the street from his home. Police officers assisted him. Later Thursday night, one person was transported from the scene to a nearby hospital. Initially, it was not confirmed if Evan Rude was the patient transported to the hospital.

On Friday, September 20, 2024, Evan Rude was taken into custody and charged with …

Aggravated Arson with Known People Present (a Class X Felony)

Residential Arson (a Class 1 Felony)

Property Arson (a Class Felony)

Evan Rude was booked in the Lake County Adult Corrections Facility in Waukegan at 9:00 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2024.

Evan Rude’s First Appearance was Saturday, September 21, 204 at 9:00 am. His next scheduled hearing is a Detention Hearing Monday, September 23, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

Just over one year ago, Evan Rude was accused of starting a fire that destroyed a car inside the attached garage of the same house on Lucinda Drive in Buffalo Grove. He allegedly walked up and reported the fire to police officers assigned coverage at Buffalo Grove Days. The 5-day festival (8/31/23 – 9/4/23) at Mike Rylko Community Park was located just across Route 83 from the scene of the fire. Firefighters assigned to stand by at Buffalo Grove Days were also nearby, and were able to respond very quickly to the reported fire.

The police, firefighters, and paramedics from Buffalo Grove responded to the reported a vehicle fire and garage fire about 9:15 p.m. Saturday, September 2, 2023 e in the block of 900 Lucinda Drive in Buffalo Grove.

Initially, Evan Rude reported a car fire, then reported that the garage might be on fire, too. The first crew on arrival reported a 2-story home with an automobile fire in the attached garage. While firefighters from neighboring communities were also assigned to the possible house fire, Buffalo Grove fire command at the scene immediately limited responding equipment and crews to Buffalo Grove units only.

The fire was declared out by 9:19 p.m., and Buffalo Grove fire investigators and the Illinois State Fire Marshal were called to the scene.

Investigators discovered video surveillance images that allegedly showed Evan Rude, then age 23, of Buffalo Grove walking up to the vehicle parked in the garage, and lighting a lighter. The video also allegedly showed Rude walking away from the vehicle with new flames coming from the vehicle. Evan Rude stands 5’10” 160 LBS.

Evan Rude was charged with one count of Felony Criminal Damage to Property ($500-$10,000), according to court records. No arson charges were listed. Rude was booked and released on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Evan Rude was ordered held on $25,000 bond, and was released on September 3, 2023 after a relative posted 10% of bond ($2,500). Evan Rude was present for the bond hearing. In November 2023, the plaintiff (People vs Rude) abandoned the prosecution related to the suspicious fire in the garage.

Regarding the false 9-1-1 charge reporting a child in danger in the water at Green Lake Park on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, a Class 4 Felony charge of False Alarm/Ambulance 720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(9) filed February 20, 2024 was dismissed, and a charge of Disorderly Conduct was filed February 22, 2024. The case is active, and the latest activity is a Case Management Conference scheduled for September 24, 2024.

Regarding Evan Rude’s charge of Reckless Conduct that occurred on July 22, 2022 in Buffalo Grove, Rude and his attorney David Smith withdrew a Not Guilty plea, and Evan Rude was found guilty of Reckless Conduct on April 20, 2023. Evan Rude served a sentence of probation for a period of 18 months, according to Lake County Court records.

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