A Skokie man faces aggravated battery and arson charges alleging he struck his former employer with a car in Des Plaines last week then returned the next day and set the business on fire.
Roal McLennon, 37, of Skokie faces aggravated battery and arson charges.
Courtesy of Des Plaines Police Department
Roal McLennon, 37, of the 8400 block of Lotus Avenue, is being held on the charges at the Cook County jail pending a scheduled court appearance Tuesday, records show.
McLennon was arrested following an investigation that began Wednesday morning when Des Plaines police were called to the 1500 block of South Mount Prospect Road for a reported aggravated battery.
According to police, officers arrived and spoke with a man who said he was walking in the parking lot when a dark Toyota sedan struck him from behind. The car then reversed and attempted to hit the man again, but missed, police reports state.
The man identified the Toyota’s driver as McLennon, whom he recognized as a former employee, police said.
A witness confirmed the victim’s account and provided a recording of the incident, which showed the vehicle and its license plate, police said. Using that information, investigators determined that the car belongs to McLennon, police said.
Officers also viewed security footage of the parking lot, which also showed the Toyota striking the victim before fleeing the scene, authorities say.
The victim refused medical treatment, police said.
Several attempts were made to locate McLennon at his address and addresses of his associates, but all were unsuccessful, police said.
Then at 1:26 a.m. Thursday, police were called to the same location to assist the Des Plaines Fire Department, which had extinguished a small fire underneath a propane tank on the property. Officers inspected the tank and noted a strong odor of gasoline, police said.
Later that day, investigators viewed surveillance footage from the scene and noted that a dark sedan, similar to the vehicle that struck the man the day before, was seen on the property, police said. The footage shows a man get out of the car, pour liquid on the area and set it on fire before driving away, according to police.
At about 3:10 p.m. Thursday, detectives arrested McLennon at a home in the 2000 block of South Ash Street in Des Plaines, authorities said. While in custody, McLennon made statements admitting to striking the victim with his car and setting the fire, police said.