An employee irate after being fired from an automotive center near Antioch allegedly committed an arson fire that destroyed a motorcycle in an attempt to get his boss’ attention.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Antioch Fire Department responded around 11:50 p.m. Tuesday to Antioch Auto Center, 25521 Route 173 in unincorporated Antioch, for a report of a fire.
A 911 caller reported driving by the business and seeing flames outside in the parking lot area.
The caller reported it appeared a person was intentionally starting fires on the property, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located Jonathan V. Tracy, 31, of Fox Lake, who had set fire to a motorcycle parked outside the business, Covelli said.
The motorcycle was engulfed in flames upon the arrival of deputies.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelse Banks said a customer dropped off the motorcycle at the shop to be repaired.
The owner of the business later told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the motorcycle did not belong to a customer and belonged to Tracy. Police said the motorcycle is not owned by Tracy.
Covelli said Tracy appeared irate and was shouting that he wanted to speak to his former boss.
Deputies determined Tracy was an employee at the business and had been fired earlier in the day.
Covelli said Tracy began setting fire to items in the parking lot in an attempt to lure his former boss to the scene because he wanted a further explanation on why he was fired.
Tracy was using gasoline and oil in an attempt to spread the fire he ignited, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Tracy and firefighters extinguished the flames.
The motorcycle was completely charred from the fire, Banks said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charge of arson, a Class 2 felony, against Tracy.
Tracy is currently on 24 months of probation for possessing a stolen vehicle in November in Lake County.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Tracy held on a $500,000 bond.
Tracy remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing this morning.