CHICAGO — The man charged with setting a string of arson fires on the North Side one year ago has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to two cases this week, court records show.
Chicago police released surveillance images of a suspect on January 4, 2024, following fires set behind four businesses from Lincoln Square to Andersonville. Video of the arsonist also emerged:
Later that month, cops arrested Carmelito Rolon, 58, after 911 callers reported that a man was setting fires to dumpsters in the 1200 block of West Ardmore.
The police said they saw Rolon reach into a dumpster with his right hand moments before smoke and flames erupted inside the bin. Rolon had a blue lighter in his hand as cops took him into custody, officials said.
Prosecutors charged him with setting that fire police allegedly witnessed in the 1400 block of West Norwood and another fire 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 setting “could have caused greater harm.” 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 of probation and 50 hours of community service.
Original reporting you’ll see nowhere else, paid for by our readers. Click here to support our work.
