Prosecutors say a Waukegan man poured gasoline around a house in Waukegan and lit the house on fire in the middle of the night while a family was inside.
Richard J. Velasco, 53, of the 600 block of Pine Street in Waukegan, was charged with one count of aggravated arson, a Class X felony.
The house fire occurred in the 700 block of North Butrick Street around 3 a.m. Tuesday, according to court records and prosecutors.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelse Banks said the home sustained major damage. The roof and interior were burned.
Velasco was identified by two witnesses as being the suspect. Surveillance video was obtained from the scene.
Banks said Velasco was seen on surveillance video pouring gasoline on an entire side of the home, including entryways to the residence.
The video showed Velasco lighting the fire and walking away from the scene, Banks said.
The residence was occupied by an entire family at the time.
Velasco lives a block away from where the fire occurred. Prosecutors did not say if there was a motive for the incident.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Velasco held on a $1 million bond.
During a Wednesday bond hearing, Potkonjak noted Velasco’s past criminal history, which included 30 years in prison for a sexual assault case.
Velasco remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $100,000 cash in order to be released.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 28.