Belvidere police arrest alleged arsonist

On Monday, Sept. 12, the Belvidere Police Department, Belvidere Fire Department,and Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office concluded a 17 month investigation with the arrest of a Belvidere man on multiple counts of arson.

Tyler W. Fahey, 23, of Belvidere, was charged with one count of aggravated arson (class X felony) one count of arson (class two felony) and one count of burglary(class two felony).Fahey remains in the Boone County Jail on a $500,000 (10 percent) bond.

On April 11, 2015 the Belvidere Police Department and Belvidere Fire Department responded to the 1300 block of Fairgrounds Road in Belvidere, Boone County, Ill. for a vehicle that had been set on fire.Belvidere Fire Department Arson Investigators deemed the fire to be arson and Belvidere Police detectives were called to the scene.

On Aug. 30, the Belvidere Fire Department responded to the 100 block of S. State St. in Belvidere, Ill. for a structure fire.  The Belvidere Fire Department’s Arson Investigator, Belvidere Police Detectives, assisted by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Arson Investigator, conducted a coordinated and comprehensive investigation.  Thanks to tips from the community and security surveillance video,investigators developed information that resulted in a search warrant of a residence in the 3500 block of Business Route 20 in Belvidere.  Detectives recovered evidence pertinent to the arson investigations and developed information pertaining to a related burglary.

Detectives presented the information they had discovered throughout their investigations to the Boone County State’s Attorney’s Office, which resulted in the authorization of one count of aggravated arson, one count of arson, and one count of burglary for Fahey.

A class x felony is punishable by six to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.  A class two felony is punishable by three toseven years in the Department of Corrections.

The Belvidere Police Department encourages anyone having information pertaining to these crimes, or any other to call the Belvidere Police Department at (815) 544-2135 or Crime Stoppers at (815) 547-7867.

Information leading to an arrest and conviction can be subject to a cash reward.  Like us on Facebook at Belvidere Police Department.  Follow us on Facebook for updates on information and Belvidere Police Department current events.

Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  Every defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the State’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.