$400,000 bond set for Bolingbrook man accused of arson at Naperville Martial Arts studio

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Robert Marshall announced today that bond has been set for a Bolingbrook man accused of setting fire to a Naperville martial arts studio last month. Andrew Wagner, 28 (d.o.b. 5/13/1992) of the 0-100 block of Red Bud Court, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Alex McGimpsey set bond at $400,000 with 10% to apply. Wagner has been charged with one count of Aggravated Arson (Class X Felony), one count of Arson (Class 2 Felony). He also faces a Misdemeanor count of Criminal Damage to Property for allegedly throwing a brick several times at the passenger window of a parked vehicle owned by a former classmate.

On March 26, at approximately 9:42 p.m., Naperville police officers responded to a call of an alarm activation at the United Martial Arts studio located at 1260 Chicago Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers found the Naperville Fire Department already on scene with the business in flames and smoke emanating from the building. The business was left uninhabitable as a result of the fire. An investigation into the fire found forced entry into the establishment as well as accelerant within the business. Through the course of their investigation, Naperville police officers identified Wagner, a former student of the studio, as the individual who allegedly started the fire. On April 6, Wagner voluntarily went to the Naperville Police Department to be interviewed. Following the interview, he was taken into custody without incident.

“It is alleged that on March 26, Mr. Wagner intentionally set fire to the United Martial Arts studio,” Berlin said. “Thankfully, no one was present at the studio when he allegedly started the fire and no patrons in any of the adjacent businesses were injured. I would like to commend the Naperville Fire Department for their quick response and containing the fire to its point of origin. I would like to thank the Naperville Police Department for their work in identifying Mr. Wagner as the man who allegedly started the fire. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Alyssa Rabulinski for her efforts in preparing a strong case against this defendant.”

“Based on the serious nature with the crime of arson that occurred in this incident, it was important for the safety of the community to find out what happened,” Marshall said. “I am appreciative of the hard work and efforts of the investigators in this case who were able to put the pieces together and to bring the alleged offender to justice. I am also thankful for the collaboration between this department and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office in this incident.”

Wagner’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 5, 2021, for arraignment in front of Judge McGimpsey.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.