Arlington Heights vandals set off five explosions in three days

Arlington Heights police are looking for a group of teen boys authorities say are responsible for a series of mailbox and car explosions that took place July 5 to 7.

The blasts were set off in two mailboxes, two cars and one garbage can using fireworks or smoke bombs, said Arlington Heights Officer Robert Kostka.

Juvenile pranks are one thing, but some of the car explosions could warrant felony criminal damage charges, he said.

"The introduction of fireworks to damage cars has increased the level of recklessness," Kostka said. "Because of the timing (and) locations, we believe all the incidents were probably related."

Witnesses reported groups teen boys leaving two of the fires, Kostka said.

The first witness reported seeing three or four teens leaving a scene in a white Plymouth Acclaim or Chrysler LeBaron, Kostka said. The witness said the first three digits of the license place were "G23."

Another witness reported four to five teens leaving a car explosion in the 600 block of South Belmont Avenue in a dark-colored Ford Explorer, Kostka said.

Police reported the following incidents:

• A curbside garbage can was set on fire at about 2:45 a.m. July 5 in the 500 block of West Victoria Lane.

• A curbside mailbox exploded at around 10:45 p.m. July 5 in the 1500 block of North Highland Avenue.

• A green 1998 Jeep Wrangler was set on fire at about 8:15 p.m. July 6 in the 600 block of South Belmont Avenue. Police said the car was totaled.

• A 2005 gray Ford Explorer was set on fire at about 8:10 p.m. in the 600 block of South Belmont Avenue. A smoke bomb was thrown into the car, damaging its interior and front seats, police said. Police later recovered a smoke bomb in the car.

• A curbside mailbox exploded at about 10:45 p.m. July 7 at Olive Street and Highland Avenue.

Anyone with information should call police at (847) 368-5300. To remain anonymous, call (847) 590-7867.