Three Lake County men charged with setting bar on fire

Three Lake County men are facing arson charges after authorities said they intentionally set fire to a Beach Park bar last week.

Fernando A. Mejia, 18, of North Chicago; Fulgencio Benites-Gaspar, 36, of North Chicago; and Estivent J. Mena-Ferrera, 21, of Waukegan, are all charged with felony arson and awaiting an initial court appearance scheduled for today.

Investigators from the Lake County sheriff’s office believe Mejia and Benites-Gaspar were upset about being kicked out of the bar several weeks ago and devised a plan to seek revenge, according to a news release from the agency.

Detectives reviewed video surveillance, conducted multiple interviews and collected evidence over the course of the week since the fire was set in the early morning hours of July 17. The investigation led them to identify a suspicious vehicle seen in the area at the time the fire was set.

No injuries were reported in the blaze that authorities said caused “catastrophic damage” to the bar.

The trio was arrested Thursday. The Lake County state’s attorney is seeking to have them held in jail while they await trial.