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Man Charged With Setting Houses On Fire In Libertyville

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. (STMW) -- A 26-year-old north suburban man has been charged with arson for allegedly starting two fires and attempting to start two others in Libertyville last week.

Kyle C. Kowal was arrested following an investigation into two structure fires that occurred on March 24 at 234 W. Cook Ave. and 226 Homewood Dr., along with two arson attempts in the 200 block of Homewood Drive and the 300 block of Laurel Avenue, according to Libertyville police.

After reviewing and analyzing evdience collected at the crime scenes, police obtained a warrrant for Kowal's arrest on Tuesday, a release from police said.

Kowal, of the 600 block of West Street in Libertyville, was arrested about 10 p.m. without incident following a traffic stop at Brainerd Avenue and Homewood Drive, the release said.

The investigation by detectives revealed that the fires and arson attempts were related and police are confident Kowal acted alone, the release said.

Additionally, evidence from a burglary at the Picnic Basket restaurant at 501 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville, which took place in the early morning hours of March 24, was also linked to Kowal, police said.

He has been charged with one count each of aggravated arson, arson, attempted arson and burglary, the release said.

Bond was set Wednesday morning at $500,000, police said.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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