CHICAGO (AP) -- A 54-year-old homeless man set more than two dozen fires because he was upset that his cardboard shelter had been bulldozed, police said.
Phet Samone is accused of setting at least 25 fires since May, causing millions of dollars of damage in the areas in and around the South Loop, police said. He has been charged with three counts of arson and one count of attempted arson, said Lt. Ed O'Donnell of the police bomb and arson unit.
Samone's arson spree began when construction workers destroyed his shelter, O'Donnell said.
``He was very upset because he had a pot and rice,'' O'Donnell said. ``That's what he was really upset about.''
Samone used newspaper and other debris to set vehicles, construction equipment and newly developed residential property on fire. The most damage was done on July 3 when Samone allegedly set fire to a new town house and the blaze spread, O'Donnell said.
A firefighter suffered minor injuries extinguishing the blaze.
Samone was arrested on Monday after he was spotted trying to set two vehicles on fire near Chinatown. Police said he then drove around with detectives and pointed out all the places where he had set fires.
Samone is being held on $325,000 bond.
