North Aurora police seek man who set trees on fire

North Aurora police are looking for a man who set 13 parkway trees on fire just two days after Arbor Day.

"In 20 years, I've never seen anything like it," Brian Richter, the village's public works superintendent, said Friday.

"Who does that?" Deputy Police Chief Scott Buziecki said.

The damage occurred around 12:10 a.m. Monday, on the 600 block of Thompson Avenue on the village's east side.

Four trees were still on fire when police arrived, as was some mulch.

Richter said four maples, four lindens, four locusts and one elm tree were set on fire. He inspected the trees Friday and all are still budding, despite the damage to their bark.

Richter is concerned about a few of the older trees, which are 30 to 40 feet tall. And since it seems the arsonist used gasoline, the village is concerned it may have seeped into the trees.

If the trees have to be replaced, it would cost about $7,500, Richter said - and they would be replaced with younger, smaller trees.

Buziecki said a person who was in a car on a driveway noticed the man walking around with what appeared to be a gasoline can, dousing the trees and lighting them.

A doorbell video camera captured some of what happened. The department has posted it on its Facebook page.

Police believe the man walked toward Pinecreek Drive and that he lives in the neighborhood. The suspect is described as about 6 feet tall, with a slender build, wearing an orange shirt and carrying a red gasoline can.

Anyone with information may call (630) 897-8705, ext. 758. To leave an anonymous tip, call (630) 897-8705, option 2.