Man pleads guilty to setting fire at ex-roommates’ home

An Aurora man who set a fire at his former roommates’ home because he was upset with them has pleaded guilty to residential arson.

Victor Alvarez, 55, agreed to a term of 10 years in prison on Thursday.

He also pleaded guilty in a separate case to unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated battery and accepted a 4-year sentence on those charges. That sentence will be served concurrently with the 10-year sentence.

According to authorities, on March 9, 2023, Alvarez entered a home where he used to live. He threatened people in the home and started the fire. He later told authorities he was upset with his former roommates.

On March 15, 2023, while on a public sidewalk, Alvarez hit a woman in the face multiple times. When a man intervened, Alvarez stole his car.

Alvarez will have to register as an arsonist for 10 years.

He will have to serve at least 50% of his sentence before being eligible for parole and has received credit for the 1¼ years he has been in the Kane County jail awaiting trial.