Danville man faces arson charges

Local News

Discussion

July 11, 2008

One house fire was for gang initiation

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL The Commercial-News Fri Jul 11, 2008, 09:09 AM CDT

DANVILLE — A gang initiation and simple enjoyment were the reasons behind two fires a Danville man is charged with.

Ernesto Vasquez, 17, of the 1000 block of North Hazel Street, appeared Thursday in Vermilion County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing on two charges of arson.

The charges stem from two fires — one on June 16 at 205 Sidell St. and the other two days later at 304 Sidell St. — investigated by the police and fire departments.

Detective Bruce Stark said Vasquez told investigators during an interview that the fire at 205 Sidell St. was done as part of a street gang initiation for the Gangster Disciples. He set a couch and the rest of the home on fire.

The defendant’s reason for the blaze at 304 Sidell St., however, was totally different, according to Stark.

“He said he liked setting fires,” Stark told the court.

In the second fire, Vasquez told detectives he knocked over a gas tank in the garage of the home, which was being remodeled.

Damage to the homes was totaled at almost $40,000.

It was released earlier in the investigation that interviews led detectives to suspect Vasquez in both fires. Under questioning from defense attorney Aadam Alikhan, Stark said an interview with another man — James Porter — at the scene led them to Vasquez as well as a 15-year-old also arrested and charged in the arson cases.

Vasquez — who remains incarcerated on $20,000 bond — pleaded not guilty to the charges as part of Thursday’s hearing. A jury trial hearing is set for Sept. 15.

The arson charges, both Class 2 felonies, carry with them a maximum sentence of seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if Vasquez is found guilty.

Text Only

Local News

Health officials seek public’s opinion
Determining the health issues local residents deem important will be the focus of an upcoming meeting in Danville.

February 12, 2012
Goldendoodles, family a perfect match
Chris and Kelli Pinkerton have always liked the friendly, personable golden retrievers, except for the shedding.

February 12, 2012 3 Photos
Songwriter: Time to slow down
After nearly a lifetime in the country-music business, Bob Payne has earned plenty of awards and rewards — but not the monetary kind.

February 12, 2012 1 Photo
Lincoln remains in the spotlight
Since 2002, the Papers of Abraham Lincoln has been actively obtaining images of every document by or to Abraham Lincoln.

February 12, 2012
Musings on tea, Dickens, old bikes
A recent column about tea and tea drinking brought this from a kindred spirit.

February 12, 2012
Lincolns visit local library
The large meeting room at the Danville Public Library overflowed again Saturday, as Max and Donna Daniels, listed among the premier Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln presenters in the nation, entertained adults and children alike with their stories.

February 11, 2012 1 Photo
City matches needed for grant funding
The city will need up to $600,000 as a local match for the South Griffin Street bridge replacement.

February 11, 2012
Dental clinic collects formal wear
Late last year, the staff at North Vermilion Family Dental decided to do something to give back to the community.

February 11, 2012
Love INC sets rock-a-thon
February 11, 2012
DLO puts on production
February 11, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Danville man faces arson charges

One house fire was for gang initiation

Site Map

Contact Us