A judge has ordered a 21-year-old woman detained after prosecutors say she was caught on video using fuel to ignite a fire that caused $5 million in damage to Walmart in Woodstock, which was “full of customers.”
Adilyn R. Monette, 21, of Woodstock, was charged with one count of aggravated arson knowing people are present, a Class X felony.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Woodstock Police Department responded around 7:22 p.m. Wednesday to the Walmart, 1275 Lake Avenue in Woodstock, for reports of a structure fire.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived to find the store being evacuated.
Employees advised fire crews that there had been an active fire inside the building.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges that Monette drove to Walmart, entered the store and intentionally covered numerous baby cribs in camping fuel.
Monette then lit them on fire with matches, the complaint said. Managers estimated the damage caused by the fire was in excess of $5 million, the complaint said.
Prosecutors said she was seen on surveillance video removing a can of camping fuel from the camping equipment aisle, placing it in a cart and making her way to the baby and infant section of the store.
Monette returned to the camping aisle, grabbed a second can of camping fuel and returned to where she had left the cart, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Monette was seen on video pouring the fuel on multiple cribs, setting them on fire and then leaving the store.
Firefighters entered the store to investigate and located the fire near the rear of the store.
The fire had already been extinguished by the building’s automatic sprinkler system, Vucha said.
Fire crews remained on the scene for more than two hours to monitor conditions and assist with smoke removal.
Vucha said the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District’s airboat was requested to assist with ventilating smoke from the large building.
Walmart is closed due to fire damage, as well as smoke damage throughout the store. No injuries were reported.
“We’re thankful that no one was injured and appreciate the swift response from first responders as ​we work to reopen as soon as possible. For pharmacy needs, the store’s drive-thru service remains open to assist patients,” the company said in a statement.
An employee of the store told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that all employees were ordered to evacuate along with customers.
He said water was seen from the sprinklers and white smoke was visible inside the store, which had a distinct smell.
Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said a Walmart employee provided officers with a witness statement and other evidence, including security camera footage.
Investigators were able to identify Monette as the suspect in part through her vehicle’s registration, prosecutors said.
“Despite there being a full store of customers when this arson was committed, we are grateful for the swift actions of Walmart staff, Woodstock Fire Department, and the Woodstock Police Department that ensured everyone’s safety so that no customers or staff were hurt,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese stated.
Monette was arrested by the Woodstock Police Department and transported to the McHenry County Jail.
She appeared in Intial Appearance Court on Friday afternoon and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain her pending trial.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the petition to detain Monette, who also has a pending arson charge out of Colorado that she was on supervised release.
Monette is scheduled to appear in court again on January 7.