Carbondale police arrest suspect after arson report on N Illinois Avenue

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — A Carbondale man was arrested Thursday night after officers responded to a report of an arson in progress and arrived to find a residence on fire, authorities said.
Police were called around 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13 to the 1400 block of North Illinois Avenue.

When officers arrived, the home was burning but had already been evacuated.

The suspect, Martin M. Ramirez, 57, attempted to flee in a vehicle but was stopped and taken into custody. Police said Ramirez was armed with a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest.

Ramirez was charged with aggravated arson, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and endangering the life and health of a child. He was taken to the Jackson County Jail pending a detention hearing.

No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Carbondale Police Department.