An Arlington Heights man with a stolen car from Nevada was arrested by the Rosemont Police Department (Rosemont Public Safety Department) on Friday, October 18, 2024, accused of starting a fire inside the Target store at 7000 Mannheim Road in Rosemont on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Initially, no injuries were reported.
Denny Ellis, age 57, of the 0-99 block of South Reuter Drive in west-central Arlington Heights is accused of committing arson; and knowingly damaging a building used by the merchandise retail store Target, while knowing that customers were present inside the store when the fire was started.
According to a Pretrial Detention Hearing document, Denny Ellis was identified as the person who started a fire in the Target store while other people were present. After he started the fire, Ellis allegedly left the store without regard of the safety of others. The incident was captured on surveillance video. Ellis was ordered held NO BOND.
Denny Ellis was also accused of retail theft (less than $300) at the same Target store — taking possession of merchandise without paying. The defendant was arrested later possessing items he had taken from the Target store.
Allegedly, Denny Ellis also possessed a stolen 2013 Volkswagen sedan with Nevada license plates while at the Target store at 7000 Mannheim Road in Rosemont.
Corporate security at Target, known as Target Asset Protection, identified a suspect, and distributed a physical description and suspect information to area police departments.
The stolen vehicle was recovered in Elk Grove Village with the help of license plate readers.
Denny Ellis was arrested at a commercial office property where a 4-story office building is located at 9501 Technology Boulevard, just east of Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont. He was arrested onFriday, October 18, 2024, and was initially held at Rosemont Lockup. On October 20, 2024, Denny Ellis was booked in Cook County Jail Division 2.
Denny Ellis (age 57, date of birth November 29, 1966, height 5’9″, weight 230 LBS) was charged with …
Arson- Aggravated Arson/Knowing a Person Present
Retail Theft of Display Merchandise <$300 Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
Rosemont firefighters and paramedics and police officers responded to the report of fire at the Target Store, 7000 Mannheim Road in Rosemont at about 11:55 a.m. Thursday, October 17, 2024.
While notifying the fire department, employees attempted to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers while the store’s sprinkler system also activated.
There was initially a report of flames in a children’s clothing or baby section. The fire was allegedly started in the diaper section.
When emergency personnel arrived, they reported significant smoke coming out of the front door. The location of the fire as described as straight inside the front door.
A Full Still (Working Fire) response was activated about 11:59 a.m.
A “Rosemont only” Arson callout for investigation was assigned at 12:03 p.m.
An extra alarm fire — a MABAS Division 20 Box Alarm on Box #100 was activated by 12:09 p.m.
Fire command reported a check (or knock) on the fire by 12:24 p.m.
The Box Alarm was struck out at about 12:24 p.m.
An MVU (Mobile Ventilation Unit) was requested to the scene about 12:27 p.m. to ventilate smoke and vapors out of the store. However, smoke had already extended throughout the entire store. There was significant damage from fire, smoke and water in the section where the fire was ignited. Investigators estimate merchandise loss throughout the store was at least $1.5 million dollars.
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