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Halloween decoration arsonist charged with damaging 2 NW Side homes

By Fox 32 Digital Staff
Published  October 25, 2023 10:40am CDT
Roscoe Village
FOX 32 Chicago

Man accused of setting Halloween decorations on fire in custody

Chicago police say Mario Munoz was arrested this week after lighting property on fire at a house in Roscoe Village and causing damage to another property on the Northwest Side the following day.

CHICAGO - A man was charged after intentionally setting fire to Halloween decorations across Northwest Side neighborhoods in early October.  

Chicago police arrested Mario Munoz, 34, near his home in Logan Square on Tuesday. 

Munoz allegedly set fire to decorations outside a home in the 2200 block of West Roscoe Street on Oct. 11 at 3:43 a.m. 

He was also charged in connection to criminal damage to a property in the 4100 block of Maplewood Avenue on Oct. 12. 

Mario Munoz (CPD)

Police say at least eight homes in the Roscoe Village area with decor to celebrate Halloween were damaged since Oct. 4. 

"That’s pretty messed up. People should have fun and not be scared that they’re going to be lit up," said neighbor Laura Burke.

One family was even displaced after their front porch was set on fire. 

Munoz was charged with one felony count of arson with property damage over $150. He also faces one misdemeanor count of criminal damage less than $500. 

He was scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Wednesday.