Illinois man arrested for arson after Thanksgiving argument with family
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An Illinois man has been arrested after he allegedly intentionally set fire to his family’s home following a heated argument on Thanksgiving, according to police.
Erik J. Crump, 21, was charged with aggravated arson and residential arson in connection with the incident.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to a home in the 40100 block of North Lone Oak Road in Beach Park around 7:30 p.m. Thursday for a reported altercation.
Family members told deputies they were disappointed that Crump became hostile to others in the home, but officers said no crime occurred.
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Erik J. Crump, 21, was charged with aggravated arson and residential arson. (Lake County Sheriff’s Office)
Deputies calmed the situation and Crump agreed to leave the family for the rest of the night.
About an hour later, deputies returned to the home after receiving a report of a fire.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a man matching Crump’s description standing near the roadway holding a knife before running away.
Deputies set up a perimeter and the sheriff’s K9 tracked her scent to the cul-de-sac, indicating she may have left it in a vehicle.
Crump was later located at a storage facility in the 39400 block of North Lewis Boulevard and taken into custody without incident.
Detectives said Erik J. Crump used an accelerant to set fire to his bedroom. (Lake County Sheriff’s Office)
Detectives determined that Crump was told he would be kicked out of the house following the earlier argument. He allegedly returned, used an accelerant to ignite the bedroom, and fled as the fire spread and caused extensive damage.
Later, the family noticed smoke coming out of the house and evacuated immediately.
“It is nothing but a blessing that no one was injured or killed in this senseless act,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in a statement. “As families across Lake County sat down for Thanksgiving, our officers were responding to the call and our deputies were responding to them.”
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The fire caused great damage to the house. (Lake County Sheriff’s Office)
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“Our team, along with our fire partners, responded within minutes, secured the area, helped extinguish the fire, and took this individual into custody before anyone else was put at risk,” he continued. “I am incredibly proud of their professionalism and dedication to keeping our community safe every hour of every day.”
After reviewing the circumstances of the incident, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of aggravated arson and residential arson.
