Kewanee Police arrested 42-year-old Roberto Martinez after a reported burglary and attempted arson led to a high-speed chase. Martinez faces several charges, including attempted murder and arson. Roberto Martinez led police on the high-speed chase through Kewanee and outside city limits. The Kewanee Police were able to stop Martinez during one of his repeated trips back to the arson scene. On November 8, 2024, the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office formally charged Martinez with Three Counts of Attempted First Degree Murder (Class X Felony), Residential Burglary (Class 1 Felony), Residential Arson (Class 1 Felony), Arson (Class 2 Felony), Criminal Trespass to Residence (Class 4 Felony), Three Counts of Criminal Damage to State Supported Property (Class 4 Felony), Two Counts of Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer (Class 4 Felony), Criminal Trespass to Residence (Class A Misdemeanor), and Resisting a Peace Officer (Class A Misdemeanor).
Law enforcement officials said there were no occupants in the houses when Mr. Martinez set them on fire. The attempted murder charges are for almost striking a police officer, firefighter, and civilian while fleeing from police. A friend of the family started a GoFundMe account to help the family from the loss of their house from the fire. You can donate here, and find a list of items needed immediately that can be dropped off at the AmericInn in Kewanee.
“The caller reported that a neighboring resident had forcibly entered their home, rummaged through their belongings, and began pouring gasoline around the property. When officers arrived, they observed an active fire at the residence and identified a blue Chevrolet Suburban fleeing the scene, driven by the suspect. As the vehicle departed, it nearly struck a responding officer.”
According to the press release, “During the vehicle pursuit, the suspect struck several squad cars and endangered the lives of officers and civilians, including children. The suspect also drove directly toward Kewanee Fire Department personnel who were on scene addressing the residential fire.”
For the safety of the public and emergency personnel, the Kewanee Police Department executed a maneuver to disable the fleeing vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. Three police vehicles were damaged, but no officers were injured
Martinez is currently held at the Henry County Jail awaiting further proceedings and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
