An early-morning inferno that gutted a Beach Park bar now has three alleged culprits, with prosecutors calling it a deliberate arson that put firefighters and neighbors in serious danger. The blaze at the Social Pub ripped through the building and triggered a multi-department fire response. Detectives say the fire was set on purpose, and the Lake County State’s Attorney has signed off on arson charges for all three suspects, who are being held in the Lake County Jail while they await initial court hearings.
Investigation and arrests
According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, detectives tracked down a suspicious vehicle in the 900 block of Broadway Avenue in North Chicago and interviewed two people on July 23. That conversation led investigators to three suspects: 18-year-old Fernando A. Mejia, 36-year-old Fulgencio Benites-Gaspar and 21-year-old Estivent J. Mena-Ferrera.
Detectives say Mejia and Benites-Gaspar were still angry after being kicked out of the bar weeks earlier and, with Mena-Ferrera, hatched a plan to torch the place. The State’s Attorney approved one count of arson, a Class 2 felony under Illinois law, for each defendant, authorities said.
Fire response and damage
Fire crews from departments across Lake and Kenosha counties rushed to the Social Pub at 37895 North Sheridan Road after a 5:55 a.m. alarm on Friday. As the flames spread, a Mutual Aid box alarm was called in to bring more help to the scene, Lake & McHenry County Scanner reported.
The fire caused catastrophic structural damage and forced authorities to temporarily shut down Sheridan Road while investigators and K-9 teams combed through the wreckage, according to the outlet. On-scene photos showed the owners talking with investigators as firefighters worked to fully secure what was left of the property.
Charges and legal outlook
The Lake County State’s Attorney has approved three counts of arson in connection with the case and plans to seek petitions to detain the suspects while the cases move through court, according to the Chicago Tribune. Under Illinois law, arson is a felony, and sentencing for Class 2 felonies is set by the state’s unified code, which generally carries a prison range of three to seven years for Class 2 offenses, per the state statutes.
Sheriff's statement and next steps
Sheriff John D. Idleburg credited detectives and deputies for quickly piecing the case together. “Their work led to the identification and arrest of those responsible for an incredibly dangerous crime that put firefighters and others at significant risk,” he said, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Prosecutors intend to file petitions to keep all three defendants detained while the cases proceed, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Witnesses and tips
Investigators are still building the case and are asking for the public’s help. Anyone who has information about the fire, or who saw a suspicious vehicle in the area that morning, is urged to call Lake County sheriff’s detectives at 847-377-4000. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Lake County Crime Stoppers, local on-scene reports say.
Detectives say the investigation remains active and are urging anyone with video footage or other potential evidence to come forward to help prosecutors as the case moves toward trial.
