Cops: Fire set to cover up Crystal Lake house burglary

Police believe an early morning garage fire in Crystal Lake was intentionally ignited to potentially cover up a burglary.

Dennis Harris, deputy chief of the Crystal Lake Police Department, said the 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning blaze started in the garage of 585 Woodland Drive, but spread inside the home after fire units arrived on the scene.

He said no one was in the home at the time of the fire, as the family was on vacation.

He said after the fire was put out, investigators discovered a red 1992 Honda Civic station wagon was taken from the garage.

"Evidence we have suggests the fire was intentionally," he said. "We have opened a criminal investigation and are investigating it thoroughly."

The fire caused $350,000 in damages to the home.

Harris said the police are meeting with homeowners to determine if anything else was stolen from the home prior to the fire.

No suspects are in custody at this time, and police are asking anyone with information about the theft or fire to contact authorities at (815) 356-3620, or to contact McHery County CrimeStoppers at (800) 762-7867.