Elderly Man Tosses Chemical On Neighbor's Trees

NILES, Ill. (STMW) - A tempestuous relationship between two north suburban neighbors that has reportedly spanned a quarter of a century led to a disorderly-conduct charge for one man last month after he allegedly poured a chemical on his neighbor's trees.

Niles police said 77-year-old Volcho Petkov, of the 7200 block of West Lill Court, tossed a flammable liquid on his next-door neighbor's backyard trees the evening of Oct. 22.

The neighbor, a 61-year-old man, contacted police after he smelled a "gas-like" odor in the yard, and officers determined some type of substance had been thrown on two trees and a fence that bordered Petkov's property, according to a police report.

Petkov allegedly denied knowing how the chemical had spilled on his fence and the trees and reportedly told police he had been changing the oil in his car.

According to police a 1-gallon can of a flammable liquid was found inside Petkov's garage and Petkov's pants had stains on them that bore the odor of the same liquid.

Police said both Petkov and his neighbor admitted that for the past 25 years they have "been at odds with one another" and the neighbor stated that Petkov has often complained about the trees on his property.

Petkov was issued a local ordinance citation for disorderly conduct and was advised by police to avoid future confrontations with his neighbor.

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