As a small Elgin church slowly renovates its building after two arson fires, federal officials announced Friday that two men were indicted for allegedly setting the first blaze in July 2003.
Rev. Mark Ahrens, pastor at New Covenant Fellowship Church, said he hopes the indictments will lead to the arrests of those responsible for the second fire in October 2004.
“Since July ’03, we’ve been in a constant remodeling mode, and that’s getting a little old,” said Ahrens, who joked that he has added “general contractor” to his church role.
Eligh A. Larson, 21, of Elgin was arrested in 2004 on arson charges and posted bail. Daniel M. Rudin, 22, also of Elgin, was arrested this week in connection with the fire that caused about $60,000 in damages to the church at 865 Parkway Ave.
Both men were indicted this week on charges of arson and conspiracy to damage the church. Rudin was freed on $4,500 bail.
Larson cooperated with investigators, but it took more than two years to develop the case against Rudin and establish the conspiracy charges, said Special Agent Thomas Ahern of the Chicago division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Investigators have not determined a motive for the fire.
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The men allegedly pried open an air vent, poured accelerant, then ignited the fire with a cigarette lighter. They have been cleared of any involvement in the second suspected arson that caused another $200,000 in damages to another wing of the church, Ahern said.
The pastor remembers meeting Larson and Rudin once or twice at youth group activities, but said they were not church members.
“It makes no sense,” Ahrens said. “Just some crazy stuff that kids get into.”
The men face a maximum sentence of 10 years on the arson charges and up to 5 years on the charge of conspiracy to damage the church.
Insurance has covered the physical damage, but the fires have taken an emotional toll on the congregation of about 80, Ahrens said.
“After the first fire, there was just a rush of volunteers to help out,” he said. “Then after the second fire, they were just kind of like `What? We have to do this all over again?’ They’re just feeling wary of all of this.”
The congregationhas met for services in a church fellowship room since the second fire. They hope the sanctuary will be open this fall. On Saturday morning, congregation members and others will paint a portion of the church’s exterior.
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