Chicago man accused of arson, fake 911 calls

A 27-year-old man accused of reporting a false bomb threat and a fake armed robbery in Des Plaines intentionally set an apartment fire in the suburb, police said.

A judge Friday set bond at $75,000 for Branden Dixon, of 1262 S. Fairfield Ave., Chicago, on charges of aggravated arson, residential arson and felony disorderly conduct, prosecutors said.

The aggravated arson charge carries a penalty of six to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Dixon is accused of calling police Dec. 14 to report a bomb at Juno Lighting, 1300 S. Wolf Road, Des Plaines.

Dixon works at Juno Lighting, Cook County state's attorney spokesman Andy Conklin said.

Des Plaines police searched the facility but determined there was no bomb.

Dixon also reported an armed robbery Dec. 28 at 542 E. Algonquin Road, which police arrived to investigate only to find it was a hoax, Des Plaines police said.

Investigators were led to Dixon and interviewed him. Police said he told investigators that he enjoyed watching police respond to emergencies.

During the interview, police said, Dixon admitted to an apartment fire. He's charged with setting a fire Oct. 8 in the basement of an apartment building at 897 S. Graceland Ave.

He used a bottle of hand sanitizer to set the fire and then fled, police said. He then told residents and called 911, police said.

Deputy Police Chief Bill Schneider had no immediate estimate for what the false calls cost the police department.

"The biggest thing is if there really is an emergency situation needed, we're spending manpower on this when it's not a legitimate emergency," Schneider said.

Dixon's next court date is Jan. 17 in Skokie.