Man Arrested for Attempted Arson Outside Chicago Charter School

A 61-year-old man, Benjamin Scheie, was taken into custody near a Northwest Side charter school this week after Chicago police officers witnessed him dropping a Molotov cocktail into the school’s dumpster. The incident occurred while he was armed with a gun and wearing a disguise.

According to reports, Scheie was arrested at 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday outside Horizon Science Academy located at 4434 North Laramie Avenue. Prosecutors stated that officers observed Scheie taking a Molotov cocktail from the trunk of his car and placing it in the dumpster, knowing that people were present at the school. Additionally, he was found to have violated his concealed carry license by bringing a firearm onto school grounds and leaving two other guns unattended in his vehicle with the engine running and windows down.

Police had been monitoring Scheie as they had encountered him previously and noticed a firearm in his possession. They witnessed him discarding the Molotov cocktail into the dumpster before fleeing the scene. While escaping, Scheie removed his disguise which included a wig, fake beard, glasses, and a blue button-up shirt, which he attempted to conceal in a planter.

Authorities noted a strong smell of gasoline emanating from the dumpster and called in the CPD bomb squad to secure the Molotov cocktail and Scheie’s vehicle. Judge James Costello ordered his detention due to the presence of students at the school, although no motive for his actions has been disclosed.

Following the arrest, a search warrant was executed at Scheie’s residence in Edgewater on Friday. Details of any items recovered from the home have not been revealed at this time. Scheie is facing charges of attempted aggravated arson, possession of explosive devices, violation of the concealed carry act, and carrying a concealed firearm on school grounds. Notably, he has no prior criminal record in Cook County.

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