Pleasant Prairie Police Department

2004 New Releases Archive

10/12/2004 | Arson Apprehensions Announced
(PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI) The Pleasant Prairie Police Department has made four juvenile apprehensions in the August 20, 2004 fire that did extensive damage to Sergios Laundromat located at 2105 91st Street in the Village of Pleasant Prairie.

According to Pleasant Prairie Police Chief Brian J. Wagner, the department received a tip from the Wisconsin Arson Hotline operated by the Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council. Subsequent investigation revealed that the fire was started by four young boys.

The boys ages ranging from 9 to 11 years old admit breaking into the Laundromat which is located in a small strip retail center, at about 1:00 P.M. on August 20th, stealing change from machines and then starting the fire in a wastebasket. The boys then left the building as the fire continued to burn. The fire department was first notified at 2:39 P.M. when employees at other businesses in the center smelled smoke.

The tip was the product of flyers that the police department distributed in a five block radius of the fire. The Tipster, while anonymous is eligible for a reward from the Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council, Wagner said.

The boys, three of whom are from the City of Kenosha and the fourth from Racine will be referred to Kenosha County Juvenile Authorities on charges of being party to a crime of Arson and Burglary. They have all been released to their parents.

Wagner credits the work of Detective Randy Myles who was the lead investigator on this case as well as cooperation and assistance from the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department with it's successful resolution.

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