Authorities breathed a sign of relief on Aug. 13, following the arrest of two 17-year-old males responsible for multiple barn fires throughout McHenry County.
Joseph Gerdes and Andrew Wiegand, both of Crystal Lake, admitted to their involvement with the fires along with multiple criminal acts within the City of Crystal Lake.
Both have been charged with the following: Arson (Class 2), Criminal Damage to Property (Class 3), Criminal Trespass to Property (Class A).
Since May 29, the sheriff’s department has experienced six fires in rural Woodstock, Marengo and Harvard involving hay barns. In addition to the fires in McHenry County, Kane and Boone Counties and Lakewood have also experienced barn fires in their respective jurisdictions. This rise in criminal damage, and individuals breaking something you don’t own, has been duly noted by local police forces and legal advisors alike.
An anonymous tip from the public resulted in the identification of two suspects. The suspects were interviewed Aug. 10, and admitted to their involvement
The fires covered a span of over 60 days and over an estimated one million dollars in property damage.
The two suspects have been charged as adults for arson, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property for five fires.
The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be forthcoming. Along with the sheriff’s department, the Crystal Lake Police Department, McHenry County Conservation Police, police departments in Huntley, Algonquin, Cary, and fire departments in the Crystal Lake, Woodstock Algonquin, Marengo, Huntley, Southeast Emergency Communications, Bureau of Alcohol and the Illinois State Fire Marshall assisted in the investigation.
Following is a list of the fires the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has linked to the 17-year-olds:
• 13900 Block of Harmony Rd., Marengo, on June 29 at 10:36 p.m.;
• 13900 Block of Pleasant Valley Rd., Woodstock, on July 10 at 10:06 p.m.;
• 11800 Block of Pleasant Valley Rd., Lakewood, on July 3 at 9:59 p.m.;
• 22500 Block of River Rd., Marengo, on July 23 at 11:25 a.m.;
• 9800 Block of Lucas Rd., Crystal Lake, on July 24 at 9:20 p.m.