Vernon Hills woman set park fires to relieve stress, police say
A 28-year-old Vernon Hills woman has been charged with arson in connection with a series of trash can fires in parks in the last three weeks.
Stephanie M. Wollar was taken into custody about 11:30 p.m. Saturday after police on surveillance caught her setting fire to a bag of yard waste on the 300 block of Albany Lane near her home in the Deerpath subdivision, according to Vernon Hills police Cmdr. Pat Zimmerman. She remained in custody Monday afternoon and needed to post $5,000 of the $50,000 bail to be released.
Wollar confessed to setting to seven other fires during the past three weeks in garbage cans at Deerpath, August and Kelli Garvanian parks, Zimmerman said.
"She said it was to relieve stress. She couldn't help herself," he said.
Wollar was charged with arson and criminal damage to state supported property, both felonies, according to Zimmerman. Total damage was estimated at about $6,000, but authorities would seek restitution for time spent by fire and police officials on the case, he said.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incidents. The Vernon Hills Park District late last week asked that residents to be aware of suspicious activities. A bond revision hearing is set for Nov. 26.