COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A drunken man set fire to a Lakeview trash container Saturday because his friend wasn't home, prosecutors said.
The fire eventually spread to a nearby garage in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue, causing damage, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said during a bond hearing Tuesday.
Bob Idaka, 54, can be seen on surveillance footage lighting a fire and walking away from smoke about 2 p.m. Saturday, according to prosecutors. Police earlier said the incident occurred about 2 a.m.
Idaka was arrested Sunday and charged with residential arson.
According to Scaduto, Idaka and a companion were drinking Saturday when they went to visit a friend who lives near Belmont and Clark, in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue.
Neighbors said the friend wasn't home, so Idaka and his companion went to get more alcohol, prosecutors said. They then returned to the friend's apartment, where Idaka threatened to "blow up the place if his friend wasn't home," according to Scaduto.
The friend wasn't.
That's when Idaka allegedly lit the fire.
According to prosecutors, Idaka has prior convictions for hate crime, possession of a controlled substance, assault, battery, retail theft, trespassing and aggravated assault with a gun.
Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. on Tuesday ordered Idaka held in lieu of $450,000 bail.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
