Police release more videos of suspected arsonists from May riots

Chicago police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives have released more videos as they try to track down dozens of people who are suspected of setting arson fires during civil unrest in late May and early June.

The latest batch of footage compliments a more extensive collection of videos and images that the agencies released June 30. 

Many of the newly-released footage was captured on May 30 as the uprising began to take root in the downtown area.

One video shows a man, referred to as “Subject #135,” who is being sought in connection with a fire outside the Wit Hotel, 201 North State, at 7:27 p.m. on May 30.

Another set of clips feature men identified as “Subject #132” and “Subject #133” who are suspected of being involved in an arson at 11 West Jackson around 9:49 p.m. on May 30. 

The latest videos also include footage of additional suspects who are believed to be involved in a case that authorities profiled in the June 30 collection. Four men, identified as Subjects 112, 113, 114, and 115, are seen near the site of an arson fire on the 400 block of Lower Michigan around 6:50 p.m. May 30. Police previously gave the address of the fire as 30 East Kinzie.

Authorities are also trying to identify a red minivan, referred to as “Vehicle C138,” that was allegedly used by someone who set a fire on the 300 block of South Plymouth at 1:19 a.m. on May 30.

A fifth video released Tuesday shows a man spraying charcoal lighter fluid and apparently clicking a cigarette lighter inside a looted store at 4757 West Madison in the Austin neighborhood around 5:15 p.m. on May 31.

Anyone with information about the crimes or suspects can contact the ATF arson hotline at 312-745-6233. Tips may also be emailed to ATFtips@ATF.gov or submitted anonymously at www.CPDTIP.com

You can support CWB’s newsgathering efforts by contributing to our Tip Jar.

About CWBChicago 5996 Articles
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com