Police Seek Second Juvenile for Damaging IL Firehouse
By Mike Nolan
Source The Daily Southtown, Tinley Park, Ill.
Jun. 11—Cook County Sheriff's Police said Friday they are seeking the public's help in identifying a juvenile who is alleged to have vandalized a south suburban fire station after a second youth was arrested and charged.
Initially, it was believed that four juveniles took part in the May 28 episode, which caused an estimated $100,000 damage to the Homewood Acres Volunteer Fire Department headquarters.
Police said that two people were involved, but at some point left the property, 3860 183rd St., just east of Pulaski Road in unincorporated Bremen Township, changed clothes and then returned, giving the impression that others were involved.
One juvenile was arrested June 2 and charged with burglary, according to sheriff's police, who declined to provide any other information about him.
The vandals used hammers to smash porcelain toilets and punch holes in walls, doors and ceilings. They ripped doors off kitchen cabinets and sprayed ketchup, mustard and other condiments all over walls of the station at and stole about $160 from a petty cash jar, authorities said.
Videos showed the incident began shortly after 8 a.m. May 28 during the long Memorial Day weekend, and the youths used rocks and bricks to break windows from the outside.
The damage went undiscovered until May 30, when one of the volunteer firefighters who also works for a private ambulance service visited the station, according to fire chief Bryan Rouson.
Homewood Acres serves fewer than 2,000 people in about 500 homes and businesses in an area of about 2.5 square miles, according to Rouson.
The damaged training area, kitchen, living room, radio room, bathrooms and offices are in a 2017 addition located behind the firehouse where two fire engines are housed. Uniforms, breathing apparatus and other gear were kept safely in an adjacent garage, which was not entered, according to the chief.
Sheriff's police investigators said the May 28 incident, based on security camera images, took place between 8:14 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., and that based on the images it was believed that four juveniles were involved.
Further investigation showed that it was two juveniles involved who left the site, changed clothes but not their shoes, and returned, according to police.
Police asked that anyone with information contact sheriff's investigators at 708-865-4896 or 847-635-1188.
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