Elgin man charged with trying to set apartment on fire

A 23-year-old Elgin man faces prison time after being accused of pouring gasoline in his east-side apartment and trying to set it on fire with his 9-month-old baby and her mother still inside.

Bond was set at 10 percent of $500,000 Friday morning for Christian Bonilla-Torres, of the 300 block of Seneca Street.

Bonilla-Torres is accused of aggravated arson, a non-probational felony that carries a prison term of six to 30 years, and misdemeanor domestic battery.

He is due in court Thursday.

Elgin Deputy Police Chief Cecil Smith said Bonilla-Torres was arrested at 11:47 p.m. Wednesday.

The two were arguing over rent when Bonilla-Torres poured gasoline in the living room, hallway and a bedroom, Smith said.

"He lit a small portion of it. She was able to grab a towel and put it out," Smith said.

Bonilla-Torres also is accused of punching his girlfriend in the head and pushing her to the floor, according to court documents.

Smith said the victim declined medical treatment and the baby was not harmed.