A judge denied pre-trial release for a man accused of committing an arson fire that damaged a restaurant while customers were inside the building in Crystal Lake Monday afternoon.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 1 p.m. Monday to Tommy’s Red Hots, 363 West Virginia Street, for a report of an outside fire.
Officers arrived first and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher.
Fire crews requested fire investigators to the scene along with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
Officers arrested Daniel M. Miller, 30 of Crystal Lake, in connection with the incident.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Miller, who lives down the street from the restaurant, intentionally started the fire.
The complaint said Miller used a lighter to light his sweatshirt on fire and used hand sanitizer as an accelerant.
The exterior of the building caught fire, the complaint said, adding that the damage was in excess of $1,000 and under $10,000.
Miller’s actions endangered the life and safety of multiple patrons who were inside the restaurant at the time of the fire, the complaint said.
Miller was charged with aggravated arson, arson over $150, criminal damage to property by fire or explosion, reckless conduct endangering safety and disorderly conduct. The most serious charge is a Class X felony that carries six to 30 years in prison.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Miller after he was transported to the McHenry County Jail.
An initial appearance hearing took place Tuesday but was continued to Wednesday.
When the hearing resumed Wednesday, McHenry County Judge Michael Chmiel found Miller in contempt of court and sentenced him to 30 days in the McHenry County Jail, according to court records.
Chmiel also granted the state’s petition to detain Miller pending trial and called him a danger to the community.
Court documents said Miller has ongoing mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He also has a traumatic brain injury.
Miller is scheduled to appear for a status of preliminary hearing Friday afternoon.