Bartlett woman charged with starting fire at apartment complex, hitting officer

A Bartlett woman faces aggravated arson and other charges in connection with a fire Saturday that damaged multiple units at an apartment complex in the village, police said Monday.

Thairy Gonzalez-Valdez, 26, also is charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer and obstructing a peace officer, officials said. She is accused of striking a police officer while being processed at the station, according to police.

Bartlett police officers and the Bartlett Fire Protection District responded at about 7:36 p.m. Saturday to a fire inside a unit at the Bartlett Lake Apartments on the 500 block of Deere Park Circle, authorities said.

Firefighters extinguished the flames and no injuries were reported, though two people received treatment at the scene, officials said.

Police detectives, in coordination with firefighters and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, determined the fire was intentionally set, officials said. Witnesses reported seeing a woman exit the burning apartment through a window and leave the area shortly before the fire alarm activated.

Officers identified the woman as Gonzalez-Valdez, who was arrested at a nearby building, police said.

Gonzalez-Valdez was brought to the Cook County courthouse in Rolling Meadows for a detention hearing. She will remain in custody until her next court appearance scheduled for July 17.