A pre-trial hearing Friday resulted in a jury trial being changed to a review hearing for a Marquette Heights man being charged with arson and insurance fraud.
East Peoria police arrested Menelaos Tsopelas, 63, Nov. 13 on charges of arson.
The arrest resulted after a fire at Tsopelas’ business, The Dairy King, 306 S. Summit Drive, Washington, on May 19.
The Northern Tazewell Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the business at 10:14 p.m.
According to information from the Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s office and the Northern Tazewell Fire Department, the fire chief was first on scene and did not see any visible signs of fire, but he detected a slight smell of fire.
At 10:19 p.m., Tsopelas arrived at the restaurant and allowed the fire chief inside. The chief noted a strong smell of gasoline in a utility room where there was a small fire at the base of a water heater.
Fire department staff noted a plastic gas can that was melted near the water heater, liquid on the ground and a candle that was broken into a V shape.
After the fire was extinguished, East Peoria assistant fire chief Rick Ward investigated. Ward said the wick of the candle had been lit, and the liquid on the floor was tested and found to be gasoline.
lot. Mr. Craft kept ignoring commands to drop the weapons and kept closing in on the officers. Mr. Craft picked up his pace, kept swearing at the officers and entered a very dangerous threshold with them, estimated to be within 10 feet,” Papis said at a press conference Dec. 16. “The officers used great restraint but were forced to neutralize this life-threatening situation to themselves. Three shots were fired and the threat was neutralized.”
On Dec. 16, Illinois State Police were at the East Peoria Police Department investigating the incident. Papis said they are called in as a neutral party.
“As per protocol, state police criminal investigation division was called and arrived on scene to take over the situation,” Papis said.
Officers involved in the incident were placed an administrative leave until further notice.
Papis said the department will also have a debriefing with a crisis intervention team.
“We sympathize with Mr. Craft’s family, but he forced our officers to respond with deadly force. I commend our officers for using restraint as long as they did. This investigation is being handled by the Criminal Investigators of the Illinois State Police. All preliminary findings thus far indicate no wrongdoing by our officers. State’s Attorney Umholtz will review the final report and render his findings in the very near future,” Papis said.
