April 03--Chicago police arson detectives are asking for the public's help finding a man who has set at least two fires in Chicago universities' men's restrooms.
About noon Thursday, the man walked into DePaul University's Theatre School, 2350 N. Racine Ave., and went into a restroom, according to an alert sent out by DePaul to students and staff. Investigators believe the man set a magazine on fire in the restroom's trash can, according to the alert.
"The fire was immediately put (out) and there was no damage or injuries," according to the alert.
The man also is suspected of lighting a fire in a restroom in a Roosevelt University Loop Campus building, according to an alert issued by Chicago police. Authorities did not specify which building at Roosevelt was targeted in the arson, but the school's main campus is at 430 S. Michigan Ave.
Police refused to provide a detailed description of the suspect, but a low-resolution still of a surveillance photo appeared to show a heavy-set black man with a mustache, wearing a light blue bandana on his head and a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt with the word "Chicago" in white on the front under a tan or brown jacket. He had aviator-style sunglasses hanging from the neck of his sweatshirt.
Anyone with information on the man or the incidents is asked to call Chicago Police Arson Unit detectives at 312-746-7618.
