New charges for Wauconda teen accused in fire

A 17-year-old Wauconda man already charged with burglarizing and starting a fire at a popular McHenry restaurant, has been arrested for stealing $350 from an Island Lake gas station, police said Friday.

Kasimer Sowa, of 307 High Street, was charged with burglary for the Jan. 18 break-in at the Savemore Gas Station at 311 Route, Island Lake Police Det. Matt Duchemin said.

Sowa confessed to the burglary and was charged with that crime while in McHenry County Jail, where he is held for burglarizing, then setting fire to Joey T's on the Fox Restaurant in McHenry on Feb. 11, Duchemin said.

Sowa told police he broke the lock on the main door of the Savemore at 4 a.m., then broke into the office and a locked desk drawer to steal the money, Duchemin said. Finger prints found at the scene were traced to Sowa, leading to the burglary charge.

That charge is a class two felony and punishable by up to seven years behind bars.

A Lake County judge has issued a $250,000 bond against Sowa. Duchemin said that's important because, should Sowa post the money needed to get out of McHenry County Jail on the arson, he would be sent to Lake County jail and forced to post bond there.

Duchemin said it is unclear when Sowa will be called to trial in Lake County on the Savemore burglary charge.