Man Charged with Arson Faces Preliminary Hearing on April 28

A Libertyville resident remains in jail on charges that he set fire to two homes and attempted to set fire to two others on March 24.

Kyle Kowal, 26, of the 600 block of West St., appeared in court for a status of attorney hearing Monday. A preliminary hearing is set for April 28.

Kowal has been charged with one count of aggravated arson, a Class X felony, arson, a Class one felony, and two Class Two felonies for attempted arson and burglary. He is accused of setting fire to two homes on Cook Ave., and Homewood Dr., and attempting to set fire to two homes in the 200 block of Homewood Dr. and the 300 block of Laurel Ave.

No one was injured in the two fires, but three homes were damaged. The attempted arsons resulted in minor damages. TribLocal reports that a family whose home was targeted remains angered and confused.

Kowal remains in jail on a $500,000 bond. Kowal’s attorneys Michael Perillo and Laura Horner could not be reached for comment.

After reviewing and analyzing evidence collected at the crime scenes, obtained a warrant for Kowal’s arrest on March 29. He was taken into custody at roughly 10 p.m. without incident following a traffic stop at Brainerd Ave. and Homewood Dr.

The investigation by Libertyville detectives revealed that all arson and arson attempts were related and police say they are confident he acted alone.

Additionally, evidence from a burglary at Restaurant, 501 N. Milwaukee Ave., which occurred in the early morning hours of March 24, was linked to Kowal.

Kowal is the son of Libertyville Village Clerk Sally Kowal, and Conrad “Connie” Kowal, director of recreation and sports complex for Libertyville.