Man pleads guilty to tossing Molotov cocktail into Portage Park school dumpster
Edgewater Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Arson, Receives Mental Health Probation Sentence
An Edgewater man, Benjamin Scheie, recently pleaded guilty to attempted arson after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail into a charter school dumpster while wearing a disguise. Despite the seriousness of the offense, Scheie was sentenced to mental health probation, as per court records.
The incident took place on a July morning last year, when officers were monitoring Scheie due to previous encounters with him. They knew he had a concealed carry license and had observed a firearm in his possession. Prosecutors stated that they witnessed Scheie taking a Molotov cocktail from his car and placing it in a dumpster at Horizon Science Academy on North Laramie Avenue. The dumpster emitted a strong gasoline odor, indicating the presence of a potentially dangerous situation.
As Scheie fled the scene on Sunnyside Avenue, he reportedly discarded his disguise, which included a wig, fake beard, glasses, and a blue button-up shirt, concealing these items in a planter, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Following the incident, CPD’s bomb squad was called in to secure the device and Scheie’s vehicle, which was found abandoned with windows down and two additional firearms inside.
A grand jury later indicted Scheie on charges of attempted aggravated arson, possession of an explosive device, and carrying a concealed firearm on school grounds. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the attempted aggravated arson charge and was sentenced to mental health probation by Cook County Judge Anjana Hansen.
As part of his probation, Scheie is required to provide a DNA sample for law enforcement purposes and comply with standard probation conditions. This includes undergoing a mental health evaluation and completing any necessary treatment.
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