Man Charged With Starting Fire At Pilsen's Mole De Mayo Fest
By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jun 1, 2016 4:04PM
Alejandro Lozano, CPD handout
Police have arrested the man who allegedly set himself on fire at Pilsen's Mole de Mayo food festival last weekend.
Alejandro Lozano, 33, of the 2100 block of West 19th Street, is being charged with one felony count of aggravated arson after he reportedly broke the storefront window of a Pilsen shop Sunday evening and started the fire, according to police. Lozano was arrested and taken to Stroger Hospital to be treated for his injuries, and he is due to be arraigned in central bond court at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse Wednesday afternoon.
Lozano "intentionally" started a fire, police said in a Tuesday night release, causing "significant damage" to the store building.
After Lozano's was arrested around 8 p.m. May 29, Mole de Mayo organizers released a statement on the incident: "The Mole de Mayo Festival was shut down approximately half an hour before the event was about to close due to an isolated incident by the recommendation of the police. Attendees were evacuated without incident."
The Chicago Fire Department Tweeted a picture of the destruction near the intersection of 18th Street and Ashland Avenue:
S&B @ 1527 W. 18th St struck out. (1)transport green to UIC. for laceration. Overhaul in progress. pic.twitter.com/PDIazxRhhw
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) May 30, 2016