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Beach Park Man Charged in Thanksgiving House Fire After Family Dispute

Prosecutors approved two felony arson counts following investigators’ finding he used an accelerant.

Overview

  • Deputies first responded around 7:30 p.m. to a verbal dispute at a home in the 40100 block of North Lone Oak Road and de-escalated the situation.
  • About an hour later the house was reported on fire, and firefighters saw a man matching 21-year-old Erik J. Crump’s description holding a knife before he fled.
  • Detectives concluded Crump returned after being told he would be kicked out and ignited his bedroom with an accelerant, causing major damage with no injuries reported.
  • A perimeter was established, a K9 track ended at a roadway suggesting he left by vehicle, and deputies later arrested him without incident at a storage facility on North Lewis Avenue.
  • The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved aggravated arson and residential arson charges, with a court appearance set for Friday.