Naperville real estate agent pleads to arsons

A Naperville real estate broker pleaded guilty to setting fire to several houses under construction and faces up to seven years in prison for his crimes.

Richard J. Knapp is scheduled for sentencing April 21. Knapp pleaded guilty to four counts of arson Friday and had one count of aggravated arson and one count of residential arson dismissed, said Will County State's Attorney spokesman Chuck Pelkie.

Knapp also is on the hook for nearly $800,000 in restitution owed to builders and homeowners whose properties were damaged by his spree that began in March 2006, Pelkie said. Knapp's $20,000 bail already has been applied to cover some of his debts.

He remains free while awaiting his sentence.

Police said Knapp's first fire was set March 31, 2006, at a house being built at 3131 Landore Drive in Naperville's Ashbury neighborhood. He followed that up a little more than a month later by setting fire to a portable toilet at the same location.

In August of that year, Knapp set fire to a house being built next door to his own at 3911 Highknob Circle in the Tall Grass neighborhood, Naperville police said.

In September 2007, Knapp targeted the neighbors on the other side of his house by stealing their garbage cart, emptying it in their yard, wheeling it back to his place, filling it with his own garbage, lighting it on fire and taking it back to his neighbors' driveway.

Knapp also was charged with the Jan. 11, 2007, fire that destroyed a house under construction at 2931 Willow Ridge Drive in Naperville and set off a blaze at an occupied house next door. The family escaped unharmed.

None of the targeted homes were being built by the same builder and police never speculated on a motive.