Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Setting Fires in Target Store and Hotel
A man accused of setting fires in a downtown Chicago Target store and a suburban hotel has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Ronald Langley allegedly used WD-40 and a lighter to ignite pillows and blankets in the bedding department of the Target store at 1 South State Street on September 28, 2023, around 7 p.m. He received a 10-year sentence for that crime last summer. The fire caused over $100,000 in damages, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Prosecutors revealed that the Target store fire was a distraction to facilitate a theft of over $2,000 worth of phones by Langley’s accomplice, Kenneth Hasley. Hasley hid near the elevators, broke into a display case with a crowbar, and stole multiple phones while the fire drew attention away from the theft. He pepper-sprayed a security guard who tried to stop him from leaving with the stolen merchandise.
Hasley was also indicted for setting a fire in a guest room at the Radisson Hotel Schaumburg on November 22, 2022. He pleaded guilty to arson in both cases and was sentenced to five years in prison for each incident. Prosecutors dropped a related robbery charge.
In a strange turn of events, a woman named Brittny Brown was arrested for setting fire to a display in the same Target store about three months after Hasley’s arrest. She allegedly caused $672.33 in damages by setting fire to shelving, bedding, bath products, perishables, and dog treats. Brown’s arson case is still pending, and officials have not provided a motive for her actions.
Surveillance video footage captured Brown entering the store on November 23, 2024, and starting the fire on the second floor. Loss prevention officers extinguished the fire and detained her without any reported injuries.
Overall, these incidents highlight the importance of swift action by law enforcement and security personnel to prevent damage and protect public safety in retail and hospitality settings.
