Sept. 05--Cook County authorities are asking the public's help in locating those responsible for setting fire on Monday night to 46 golf carts at the Chick Evans golf course in Morton Grove.
Authorities said the blaze was reported around 8:55 p.m. on the grounds of the course, located on Cook County Forest Preserve property in the 6100 block of Golf Road.
The course's general manager locked up the pro shop about 8:20 p.m., according to Cook County Sheriff's spokeswoman Sophia Ansari. The manager returned about a half-hour later to find the golf carts on fire, Ansari said.
No one was injured in the fire, Ansari said, which required a response from Morton Grove and Glenview fire departments, as well as investigators from the sheriff's department and Cook County Forest Preserve police.
While the investigation is ongoing, Ansari said it appears someone used tiki torches -- which were found at the scene -- to set the carts on fire.
Forty of the 46 gas-powered golf carts were destroyed, said forest preserve spokeswoman Karen Vaughan. The remaining six carts were damaged. Each cart is valued around $3,000, Ansari said.
The golf course currently possesses more than 60 golf carts, said Vaughan, adding that the carts are kept outdoors behind the pro shop.
The course is owned by the forest preserve, but managed by Billy Casper Golf. Management is bringing in carts from other courses until replacements can be acquired, Vaughan said.
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fire, Vaughan said.
Anyone with information should contact the sheriff's investigations unit at (708) 865-4896.
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