A Hoffman Estates, Illinois man has been identified as the suspect who allegedly intentionally started a fire at a small chapel near a Crown Point church.
Tyler Jacob Cyr, 24, is charged with two counts of Level 4 Arson and two counts of Criminal Mischief, according to the probable cause affidavit.
There is an active warrant for Cyr's arrest.
Around 2:24 a.m. Oct. 22, Crown Point police and fire departments responded to a fire at Saints Peter and Paul Macedonian Orthodox Church at 9660 Broadway.
Upon arrival, a small prayer chapel located outside the main church was engulfed in flames and was subsequently extinguished by the Crown Point Fire Department.
The fire caused extensive damage to the interior of the small chapel, estimated at more than $30,000.
According to Crown Point police, the immediate cause of the fire was suspected arson.
Church member Stevko Simakowski provided police with surveillance footage from the scene, according to court documents.
After reviewing Ring camera video, police were able to identify Cyr and the black Honda Civic he was driving, along with the license plate number. Crown Point Police and Fire Departments have launched an arson investigation and have confirmed that the likely cause of the fire was intentional human action and will be determined to be arson.
In addition to the Oct. 22 fire, police said they are investigating three active theft and criminal mischief incidents at the same chapel, with the first incident occurring Sept. 23.
A church spokesman could not be reached for comment Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Crown Point Police Department.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
