Police have arrested a suspect accused of committing an arson fire that damaged a room at a motel, which was occupied, in Crystal Lake Monday afternoon.
The Crystal Lake Police Department and Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded around 4:50 p.m. Monday to Super 8 by Wyndham Crystal Lake, 577 Crystal Point Road, for a report of a fire alarm.
Officers arrived first and reported a fire inside a second-floor motel room, according to emergency radio traffic.
The incident was upgraded from a fire alarm response to a structure fire, prompting numerous fire department resources to respond.
Firefighters arrived and reported finding no smoke or flames visible from the exterior, fire department radio traffic indicated.
Fire crews went inside the motel room where the fire was reported and found a small fire, possibly involving towels, that was burning but had been extinguished.
The incident was downgraded after the fire was extinguished. Crews worked to ventilate the smoke from the room and reset the fire alarm system.
Police officers arrested James Roever, 30, of Negaunee, Michigan, in connection with the incident.
He was charged with aggravated arson knowing people are present, a Class X felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Roever knowingly and intentionally committed arson, damaging part of the building, while knowing the motel was occupied.
Roever was also found in possession of less than 15 grams of crack cocaine, the complaint said.
The Crystal Lake Police Department and Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department have not released further details on the incident.
Roever was transported to the McHenry County Jail and is set to appear for an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Wednesday.