ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Officials said a senior citizen has been charged with aggravated arson for allegedly setting his suburban apartment building on fire.
The fire in the 400 block of Rand Road in Arlington Heights last week left six apartments unlivable, including the one where 80-year-old Paul Strusiner had lived. Now, Arlington Heights police said Strusiner has been charged with deliberately setting his apartment on fire - a felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Related
According to police, Strusiner made incriminating comments to first responders, including the fact he intentionally started a fire in his apartment.
Police said Strusiner has been in the hospital since last week for reasons unrelated to the fire. Prosecutors will ask that he be turned over to Cook County Sheriff’s Police once he’s released from the hospital.
A bond hearing is scheduled Tuesday for Strusiner.