Alleged Toilet Torchers Charged with Arson

Two men were charged with setting several portable toilets on fire after an evening of drinking, prosecutors said Monday in court.
Michael Koch, 29, of Tinley Park appeared in bond court on two felony charges of arson.
Prosecutors said at around 2 a.m. June 13, after both men had been drinking, the two decided to burn down the port-o-pottie at Lewis Park, 16839 Riverside Drive, Tinley Park.
Koch allegedly torched a roll of toilet paper with a lighter. The rest of the port-o-pottie caught on fire, melting the plastic.
The prosecutor said Koch set another portable toilet in the park on fire, before heading over to Vogt Woods, 6527 W. 171st St., Tinley Park.
Koch set fire to another roll of toilet paper before he returned to their car to watch the port-o-pottie burn, according to the charges.
A witness to the fires at Lewis Park called 911 to report that the portable toilets were burning.
Tinley Park police later caught up with Koch sitting in their vehicle at Vogt Woods, watching their handiwork, the prosecutor said.
Koch allegedly made admissions to drinking throughout the evening and then setting the plastic buildings on fire. Koch was also found to have a lighter, police said.
Neither man has a prior criminal background.
Koch’s attorney said that while the allegations were serious, the port-o-potties at both locations were in desolate areas and no one was injured.
Bail for Koch was set at $5,000 each on both felony counts.
Both men are due back in court July 7 in Bridgeview.