3 Accused Of Intentionally Setting Bar On Fire

BEACH PARK, IL — Three men have been charged with arson after investigators determined they intentionally set fire to a Beach Park bar earlier this month, authorities said Friday.

Deputies responded around 5:55 a.m. on July 17 to a reported structure fire at Social Pub, 37895 N. Sheridan Road. The fire caused widespread damage to the building, and investigators from the Beach Park Fire Department, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office determined the blaze was intentionally set, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff’s detectives conducted an investigation that included reviewing surveillance footage, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Investigators identified a suspicious vehicle connected to the fire and located it on Thursday in the 900 block of Broadway Avenue in North Chicago, where they interviewed two people they believed were involved, police said.

Authorities identified the suspects as Fernando A. Mejia, 18, of North Chicago; Fulgencio Benites-Gaspar, 36, of North Chicago; and Estivent J. Mena-Ferrera, 21, of Waukegan. Each was charged with one count of arson, a Class 2 felony.

Investigators said Mejia and Benites-Gaspar were upset after being removed from the bar several weeks before the fire and allegedly developed a plan to set the business on fire.

All three men remain held at the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office plans to seek their detention while the cases move forward, police said.