Morton firefighter arrested on four counts of arson

A joint investigation into several area arsons between the Morton Police Department and the Morton Fire Department resulted in the arrest of a volunteer Morton firefighter today.

Timothy J. Perry, 34, of 1408 S. Second in Morton was arrested and booked in the Tazewell County Justice Center today as a result of a two-month long investigation of four fires in Morton.

Perry is also considered a person of interest in several fires that occurred Aug. 12 in Creve Coeur. Officials at the Creve Coeur Police Department were unavailable for comment.

Perry admitted to his involvement in a fire that occurred early Sunday morning at the Antique Mall, 1901 N. Morton Ave. in Morton, as well as three other fires that were deemed suspicious by the Morton Fire Department.

Perry allegedly drove by the location of the new Morton Fire Department headquarters, currently under construction on Courtland Aveue, when he decided to enter the Antique Mall and start a fire in an abandoned residence Sunday morning.

Morton police were notified by the owner of the property, Bill Shipton, prior to that fire at the Antique Mall, that the residences were abandoned and any activity on the property should be considered suspicious.

"The department had prior directive from the owner to watch for trespassers," Hilliard said.

Perry drove home after starting the fire at the Antique Mall, and returned to the Antique Mall to check on the fire because he did not receive a call to respond to the fire after 30 minutes passed.

When he drove back out to the Antique Mall, he noticed the fire was still burning, and he decided to leave.

It was at that time, a Morton police officer pulled Perry's vehicle over after he was observed in the parking lot at the business.

"Subsequently, it was discovered that a fire was underway in one of the rooms of the Antique Mall," said Morton Police Department Deputy Chief Craig Hilliard. "His presence at the time of the fire was suspicious."

During an investigation, Perry admitted to his involvement in three other fires - the first being a vehicle fire at Jadewood and Second July 12. He also admitted to his involvement in a dumpster fire at Colony South apartments July 16 and another vehicle fire at 2301 S. Main Aug. 2.

The joint investigation by the Morton fire and police departments was handled internally, without the assistance of the Illinois State Fire Marhsal's office.

Morton Fire Department Chief Joe Kelley said Perry has been under close watch prior to Monday's fire at the Antique Mall.

"He's been on the radar here for some time now," Kelley said. 

Kelley, who said he is relieved by the the arrest, is also appreciative of the cooperative investigation between the police and fire departments.

"If there is a victory, no one was hurt," Kelley said. "And, we managed to get this stopped before anyone was hurt.

"The actions of one individual is not representative (of the department)," he added. "I wish I had a word that was stronger than unacceptable.

"In the coming days, my objective is to be as open and honest about what we're dealing with as possible," he said.

As for his department, firefighters just learned of the arrest today.

"I've been dealing with this for some time," Kelley said. "(The firefighters) are just finding out."

Kelley said it is still not understood why Perry may have started the fires.

"That is a question I have continued to ask myself, but the answer is not clear to me," he said. "I really do not understand his motivation."

Perry was released from his duties as a volunteer firefighter on Tuesday, Kelley said. 

Additonal details:

• Perry has been a volunteer firefighter with the Morton Fire Department since February 2008.
• He was a member of the Creve Coeur fire department from 1993 to '97.
• The Illinois State Fire Marshal's office did not assist in the investigations due to budget constraints.
• The Morton Fire Department and Illinois State Fire Marshal's office is still investigating a fire that was deemed an arson at 1310 S. Second. Perry has not been identified as a suspect in that fire.