Nov. 01--A Rogers Park man was charged with felony aggravated arson Saturday after allegedly trying to burn down his 39-unit apartment building early Thursday morning.
Thomas Gatch, 52, of the 6800 block of North Ashland Boulevard, was ordered held on $250,000 bail after a video camera allegedly recorded him lighting a paper bag on fire and putting it in the stairway between the first and second floor, according to prosecutors. In addition, police found the clothing worn by the man in the video in Gatch's apartment, prosecutors said.
Gatch was arrested soon after the fire was reported, court documents show.
The fire damaged the stairway, carpet and molding, prosecutors said. About 60 people lived in the apartment building.
"The circumstances surrounding this allegation, many people were at risk because of his alleged action," Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil said in Cook County bond court Saturday.
Gatch was unemployed and has lived in his Ashland Avenue apartment for about three years, according to court documents. He has three kids.
Gatch served in the military 1984-92, according to court records. He received an honorable discharge from the Air Force, his attorney said.
gbookwalter@tribpub.com
