Arson causes damage to two vehicles

Someone set fire to a car in the 1300 block of Sherman Avenue early Thursday morning, Evanston Police Department spokesperson Cmdr. Jay Parrott said.

A truck driver witnessed the fire and unsuccessfully attempted to put it out using an extinguisher from his vehicle, Parrott said.

Shortly after, the police and the fire departments responded to a call made by the truck driver.

A car parked next to the burning vehicle was also damaged, Parrott said.

The ignited vehicle was a 1997 Nissan Maxima, and the car parked next to it was a 2003 Toyota Prius.

Parrott said the incident was clearly arson due to a can of gasoline found on the passenger side of the Nissan.

Burglar takes $2,900 worth of electronics from Evanston apartment

A burglar took $2,900 worth of electronics from a 27-year-old Evanston man’s apartment in the 1500 block of Oak Street and fled the scene, Parrott said.

Originally, the resident attempted to enter the apartment through the front door but could not.

After hearing someone inside, he went to the back door. It was open, indicating the burglar had left, Parrott said.

Police noted the back door of the apartment was forced into by the burglar.

Parrott said the resident noticed a dark-colored pickup truck running outside the building, although no one was inside it. The 27-year-old man said he believes the pickup belonged to the burglar, Parrott said.

The burglar stole two Apple laptops, a Canon digital camera, an iPhone and small amounts of change.

Man arrested in connection with November aggravated assault case

Police charged a 24-year-old man Wednesday afternoon with aggravated assault in connection with an incident in November in the 1800 block of Madison Street, Parrott said.

The man arranged to meet with someone via an online dating service Nov. 10.

During the meeting on the 700 block of Dodge Avenue, he grabbed and pushed the woman to a wall. She later told police the man had a knife, Parrott said.

The call was made in November, but police have now charged the attacker.

After the woman correctly identified the man among possible suspects, police charged him with aggravated assault, a Class A misdemeanor, for brandishing a knife.

– Tanner Maxwell

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