A suspect has been arrested after he allegedly burglarized a house in Crystal Lake and attempted to commit arson by pouring gasoline in the attic, court records show.
Brian D. Moynihan, 40, of Crystal Lake, was charged with attempted residential arson, residential burglary and criminal trespass to residence.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Moynihan committed residential burglary in the 500 block of Lake Street in Crystal Lake around 12:30 p.m. on January 29.
Moynihan entered the single-family residence with the intent to commit a felony, the complaint said.
The complaint said Moynihan attempted to commit arson by pouring gasoline or “a similar combustible fuel” in the crawl space of the home.
Court documents said Moynihan poured the gasoline into a storage bin and containers in the crawl space that he knew people were not normally going into.
Court documents also said he knew the home’s owner and her daughter, as well as his own son, were residing at the home.
An arrest warrant was issued for Moynihan on Monday and he was taken into custody the same day.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Moynihan pending trial, calling him a real and present threat to the safety of the victim.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb denied the petition during a court hearing on Tuesday and released Moynihan from the McHenry County Jail despite agreeing with prosecutors that the man is a real and present threat and showed a “total disregard” for the residents’ safety.
Moynihan was ordered to be placed on pre-trial supervision with a GPS monitor and to have no contact with the victims or come within 1.5 miles of their home.
Moynihan was also ordered to obtain a psychological evaluation and a Bishoff Risk Assessment within 21 days and follow all recommendations.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on April 22 for a status of preliminary hearing.