Des Plaines police detective lauded

Des Plaines Police Detective Michael Heene was recently awarded a plaque for “Outstanding Contributions in the Investigation of Arson” by Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez in a Nov. 6 ceremony at the Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California. The Illinois Arson Committee recognized Heene for his work on an arson that occurred at 11:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 2010, when the Des Plaines police and fire departments responded to a large explosion at an apartment complex on Oakton Street. Des Plaines investigators, the Cook County bomb squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms responded to the scene. After a lengthy investigation it was found that the offender, Richard Bilik of Des Plaines, had detonated a large improvised explosive device at the door of an apartment knowing that there were three people inside. The explosion caused extensive damage to the apartment and neighboring units. The residents sustained relatively minor injuries and were treated and released from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. On Jan. 26, 2010, Bilik was charged with numerous felony counts including aggravated arson. The case went to a jury trial in Oct. 2012. Bilik was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison.