A 12-year-old boy was being held at the River Valley Juvenile Justice Center in Joliet on Monday after being arrested and charged in connection with a string of arsons in Plainfield.
The boy, whose name has not been publicly released, is charged with five counts of arson, three counts of burglary to a motor vehicle and two counts of criminal damage to property.
"You wonder what went wrong, but glad that police caught them, you know, and I hope they get help," said Tanya Triner when told of the arrest. Her neighbor's property was among those damaged.
The fires in the Arbor Creek subdivision of Plainfield began during the holidays. A fire on Christmas Eve was followed by one on New Year's Eve and three more on New Year's Day.
At the time, authorities expressed confidence they would find the arsonist.
Monday's arrest came with a "full confession," police said.
All the arsons started inside unlocked vehicles, some of which were located in garages, others in driveways. One caused an estimated $180,000 in damage to a town home.
Police have scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the arrest and charges.
