An Arlington Heights woman was charged in connection to a fire at the Shrine of Our Lady Guadalupe in Des Plaines on Tuesday.
Virginia Roque-Fermin, 41, was arrested as police responded to the fire at 1170 N. River Road around 2:30 p.m., police said. Roque-Fermin was seen walking away from the shine covered in soot, police said.
Surveillance video shows Roque-Fermin carrying objects such as statues, buckets, chairs, and planter pots toward the grotto of the shrine before starting a fire and then continuing to throw things onto the fire to feed the flames, police said. Officers found soot on the front of her clothes."The damage was significant," said Andy Lepe, a representative of the shrine. He estimated that the fire burned for more than 10 minutes before it could be extinguished.
"Although we are very saddened by the painful vandalism the shrine has undergone, we are thankful for the Des Plaines Police and Fire Departments for their rapid response to the incident," the shrine said in a statement. "We ask for special prayers of healing and reconciliation for the individual who has perpetrated this violent act."Suburban police are investigating a suspected arson after a fire caused damage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe early Tuesday morning.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arlington Heights woman charged with setting fire to Des Plaines shrineAn Arlington Heights woman faces an arson charge stemming from a fire early Tuesday that caused significant damage to Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, police announced Wednesday.
Read more »
Staffer charged with sexually assaulting dementia patient at Arlington Heights assisted living facilityA staff member of an Arlington Heights assisted living facility has been charged with sexually assaulting a patient diagnosed with dementia.
Read more »
Employee charged with sexually assaulting resident of Arlington Heights senior homeA Cook County judge set a $100,000 cash bail Monday for an Elmwood Park man charged with sexually assaulting an 88-year-old resident of an Arlington Heights assisted living facility.
Read more »
Woman asked to sign divorce papers killed husband with hammer, Arlington police sayA 42-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of her husband after Arlington police said she hit him in the head with a hammer after going to his apartment to sign divorce papers.
Read more »
Person of Interest in Custody in Suspected Arson at The Shrine of Our Lady GuadalupeA person of interest is in custody after a fire at The Shrine of Our Lady Guadalupe in Des Plaines, with officials suspecting in arson in the blaze.
Read more »
Arsonist sets fire to chapel at Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des PlainesThe shrine posted several photos of the scene on its Facebook page which appeared to show extensive damage to the area.
Read more »