Kewanee arson suspect arrested after police pursuit

A Kewanee arson suspect was arrested on multiple charges following a police pursuit.

According to a release from the Kewanee Police Department, on November 7 at approximately 3:32 p.m., Kewanee Police officers were dispatched to the 600 block of E. 6th St. in response to a reported burglary and attempted arson. The report stated that a neighboring resident had forcibly entered a home, rummaged through the residents' belongings and poured gasoline around the property.

When officers arrived, there was a fire at the home, and a Chevrolet Suburban was leaving the scene. As the vehicle left, it almost struck a responding officer. Officers from the Kewanee Police Department and Henry County Sheriff's Department pursued the vehicle through Kewanee, leaving the city and returning back into the Kewanee city limits. During the pursuit, the suspect struck several squad cars and drove directly toward Kewanee Fire Department personnel on scene.

Officers used a squad car to disable the suspect's vehicle in the 500 block of N. Grace Ave. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and has been identified as Roberto Martinez, 42.

Martinez faces preliminary charges including the following:

Martinez was transported to the Henry County Jail, where he is awaiting formal charges from the Henry County State Attorney's office. The Kewanee Police Department was assisted by the Kewanee Fire Department, Henry County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police and the Illinois State Fire Marshal.