CHICAGO — The man accused of setting off a string of arsons on the North Side a year ago has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to two counts this week, court records show.
Chicago police released surveillance images of a suspect on Jan. 4, 2024, following fires behind four businesses from Lincoln Square to Andersonville. Video of the arsonist also emerged:
Later that month, police arrested Carmelito Rolon, 58, after 911 callers reported a man setting fire to dumpsters in the 1200 block of West Ardmore.
Police said they saw Rolon reach into a dumpster with his right hand moments before smoke and flames erupted into the dumpster. Rolon had a blue lighter in his hand when police took him into custody, officials said.
Prosecutors accused him of setting the fire that police allegedly witnessed in the 1400 block of West Norwood and another blaze behind Hopleaf, a bar and restaurant at 5154 North Clark.
During a detention hearing last year, Judge Maryam Ahmad noted that the fires Rolon was accused of “could have caused greater damage.” Rolon allegedly replied that he “didn’t have a chance yet” or words to that effect.
This week, Rolon pleaded guilty to two counts of arson. Prosecutors dropped a third arson case. Judge Timothy Joyce sentenced him to two years’ probation and 50 hours of community service.
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Tim Hecke is the managing partner of CWBChicago. He started his career at KMOX, the legendary news radio station in St. Louis. From there he went on to work at stations in Minneapolis, Chicago and New York City. Tim went on to build syndicated radio news and content services serving each of America’s 100 largest radio markets. He became managing partner of CWBChicago in 2019. His email address is tim@cwbchicago.com
