On Friday, April 16, 2021, at 5:10 p.m., Warrenville police officers were dispatched to area of 3S001 IL Route 59 for the report of a large amount of smoke billowing from behind a business. Upon arrival, officers located a mattress, and a plastic dumpster and its wooden enclosure on fire in the alleyway. The Warrenville Fire Protection District was able to quickly extinguish the fire, though all items were destroyed.
During the course of the investigation, Detectives reviewed surveillance video footage from a neighboring business and observed a male walking through the alleyway shortly before the fire started. The male in the video can be seen bending down next to the mattress, lighting it on fire and then walking northbound through the alley until out of sight. Within a short period of time the items became fully engulfed.
The offender, identified as 30-year old Nathan T. Kopecky of the 29W500 block of Winchester Circle, Warrenville, has been charged with one Class 2 felony count of Arson – Damage to Real Property or Personal Property. A warrant was issued for Kopecky’s arrest who later surrendered himself, posted bond and was released. A June 14, 2021, court appearance has been set at the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton, Illinois.