Young Firebugs Torched Hickory Street House & Garage: Cops

JOLIET, IL — Two teens were locked up for torching a North Hickory Street house and garage last month, police said.

The youths, aged 14 and 17, were booked into River Valley Juvenile Detention Center.

The teens allegedly set fire to a house and garage near the corner of Hickory and Spring streets on Feb. 16. The house was reportedly vacant while it was undergoing renovations.

A fire department arson investigator determined the blaze had been intentionally set, according to police.

Detectives first linked the 14-year-old the the fire. He was arrested about 6:45 p.m. Feb. 22 at the police station — but not before providing enough information for investigators to identify his partner-in-crime, police said.

The 17-year-old was taken into custody on Krings Lane less than three hours later. A 16-year-old was arrested about 9 that night at the corner of Lemorr and Midland avenues, but was later released without charge.

image via Patch archive