A 52-year-old suburban man accused of setting his personal belongings and himself on fireplace inside a CTA prepare automotive in Wicker Park is now dealing with felony arson costs, authorities mentioned Sunday.
Jesus Martinez, of Northlake, remained hospitalized Sunday morning as police mentioned he had been recognized as the person who set fireplace to belongings aboard a Blue Line prepare within the 1500 block of North Damen round 6 a.m. Friday. Different passengers had been aboard the prepare when Martinez set his objects on fireplace and likewise ignited his personal legs. No different passengers had been injured.
Martinez was transported to Stroger Hospital for remedy with CPD initially saying he was in good situation, whereas the Chicago Fireplace Division described his situation as important. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives helped CPD with the investigation.
Martinez was scheduled for a detention listening to on Sunday afternoon on the Leighton Legal Courthouse. Nonetheless, a choose might reschedule the detention listening to if Martinez stays hospitalized, as state legislation doesn’t permit for defendants to be detained with out being current in court docket.
The fireplace occurred the identical day the Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago police had been rolling out a safety surge that the town mentioned would add dozens of further cops and personal safety guards throughout the town’s transit system day-after-day.
In a letter launched Friday, federal officers warned that Chicago’s transit security technique fell brief and threatened to withhold $50 million in federal funding if the town doesn’t submit a extra aggressive plan to cut back crime on buses and trains.
Unique reporting you’ll see nowhere else, paid for by our readers. Click on right here to help our work.
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by 5 residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate info that was being supplied at native Neighborhood Policing (CAPS) conferences.
Our protection space has expanded since then to cowl Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and different North Aspect Areas. However our mission stays unchanged: To supply authentic public security reporting with higher context and better element than mainstream media retailers.
Our editorial e-mail handle is information@cwbchicago.com
