Firefighter Hurt In Blaze, Sex Offender Nabbed: IL Weekend

ILLINOIS — A firefighter was hurt battling a blaze at a historic suburban home in freezing temperatures over the weekend, and police in another suburb were warning residents to avoid "sextortion" scams on social media.

Meanwhile, an Illinois family is calling for an end to the violence after their loved one was gunned down at an illegal checkpoint set up by cartel members in Mexico.

Firefighter Injured Battling Blaze In Vacant Century-Old Home Amid Frigid Temps

The residents weren't home when a fire tore through the historic two-story home.

Sex Offender Agreed To Meet Cop Posing As Teen: PD

Police say the 58-year-old was under the impression he was chatting with a 13-year-old girl when he arranged to meet her for sex. He was previously convicted of child solicitation in another state, and prosecutors outline the sexual messages he sent to the officer posing as 13-year-old "Melissa."

Sextortion Scams On The Rise Through Social Media: Police

Police are warning residents to be aware of sextortion scams, with most occurring on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. Sextortion is a threat made by an individual saying they will publicly expose the victim's explicit photos and videos unless the victim pays money.

Family Calls For End To Violence In Mexico After Illinois Man Was Killed

Jesus Macias, 62, was shot and killed on Monday of last week while traveling with his mother, wife, and child. Activists said he was gunned down after he failed to stop at an illegal checkpoint set up by criminal cartel members near Villanueva in the Mexican state of Zacatecas, while the group was on the way to buy a new stove for his mother.

Home Uninhabitable After Fire: Officials

Crews were able to get the fire under control quickly, the fire district said. The fire appears to have started on the exterior of the home, extending into the home and causing significant damage and rendering the home uninhabitable.

1 Flown To Hospital, 3 Others Injured In Crash

One person was flown to the hospital and three others were also injured in a two-vehicle, head-on crash over the weekend.

'You're Next,' Manhattan Man Threatened Victim With Knife: Police

The victim, who had an order of protection out against the man, told police he then "waved a large knife in the air while stating, 'You’re next.'"

'Crime Spree:' Lotto Tickets Stolen From 7-Eleven; Man Charged

He's accused of stealing more than $700 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets from a 7-Eleven store, and faces charges of burglary, retail theft and continuing financial crimes enterprise. According to police, he "first befriended an unsuspecting store clerk and then stole lottery tickets when the clerk briefly went to a back cooler."