Two accused of setting portable toilet on fire in Mt. Prospect

Two teens from Mount Prospect face felony arson charges for setting fire to a portable toilet using burning wood chips, authorities said Wednesday.

According to a news release, Daniel J. Mathews, 18, of the 300 block of S. Hi Lusi Avenue, and a 17-year-old, whose identity was not released because he is a juvenile, both admitted their actions to officers near Fairview School Park around 10 p.m. Saturday.

The officers who confronted the pair were staking out the park because six portable toilets in various Mount Prospect parks had been set aflame in the last nine months.

According to the release, the officers found the pair had multiple disposable lighters on them. After police questioned them further, the two young men admitted they had set wood chips on fire before placing them in the portable toilet in Melas Park on April 30, which caused about $2,000 worth of damage, the report said.

A judge set Mathews' bail at $5,000 Monday. His next court appearance is June 2.

The 17-year-old will appear in juvenile court.