Juvenile Accused of Torching Old Navy Is 14 Years Old

ORLAND PARK, IL — A juvenile has been arrested for allegedly torching a clothing display inside the Old Navy store in Orland Park late Sunday afternoon. The youth was spotted standing outside the store watching firefighters battle the blaze, police said. The store remains closed during cleanup and restoration efforts.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office said the juvenile is 14 years old. In addition to aggravated arson, the juvenile has been charged with burglary and criminal damage to property in connection with the fire. The minor appeared in court before Cook County Judge Stuart Lubin, who ordered the youth to held in custody. The juvenile is due back in court May 4 in Bridgeview.

Orland firefighters responded to a fire inside the Old Navy store at 105 Orland Park Place Drive around 5:34 p.m. Fire crews arrived to find a clothing display on a movable wall on fire near the rear of the store. The building’s fire sprinkler system was activated filling the building with smoke, Orland Park police said in a news release.

Approximately 53 customers along with 13 employees were safely evacuated from the store. The fire was quickly extinguished by the business suffered extensive smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported.

>>> Firefighters Battle Blaze at Old Navy In Orland Park

Police and arson investigators from the Orland Fire Protection District determined that fire had been deliberately set. An offender, later identified as the juvenile suspect, was observed on security video lighting clothing on the display wall on fire, police said. The suspect’s description was broadcast. An alert Orland Park patrol officer recalled seeing a person who reportedly fit the description watching the fire from the crowd gathered outside the store.

Police said the juvenile had already left the scene heading towards another business in the 16300 block of LaGrange Road, where officers arrested the youth. After the suspect was determined to be an underage minor, the suspect was charged as a juvenile with aggravated arson.

Commander Anthony Farrell of the Orland Park Police Department would not divulge the age or gender of the juvenile, in accordance with juvenile law. The juvenile has since been remanded in the custody of Cook County juvenile authorities.

Fire officials credit the store’s sprinkler system with preventing the fire from turning into a major conflagration. Farrell said the merchandise and light fixtures were covered with soot the day after the fire. About 95,000 units of merchandise will most likely have to be discarded.

“We have no timeline how long it will take to clean the store and bring in new merchandise,” Farrell said.