Suspect Sets Car Fire with Bible, Attempts Two Break-ins, Police Say

A Romeoville man who tried to break into two Joliet homes and used a Bible to set a car on fire was arrested by Joliet police Sunday night and charged with felony arson and burglary, Capt. Tab Jensen said.

The alleged crime spree began at 16 Melchior Place, where Craig D. Javonte, 21, is accused of breaking a double-pane window and attempting to kick in a door, Jensen said. A neighbor called police, and Jensen said Javonte would likely have been caught inside the unoccupied house had a burglar alarm not scared him off.

Less than a block away he came upon an unlocked 2001 Toyota Camry at 11 Mississippi Ave. with a Bible on its front seat, Jensen said. Javonte allegedly placed the book on the car's hood and set it on fire, damaging the vehicle's engine and windshield, he said.

By the time police were called about that incident, Javonte had moved on again, this time attempting to break into a home at 28 Iowa Ave., about a half block east of Mississippi, Jensen said. In that case, residents were home, police were called and Javonte was taken into custody, he said.

Witnesses to all three incidents said they did not know Javonte, but were able to identify him as the suspect, who was also charged with criminal trespass to a residence and knowingly damaging property.

Javonte, of 327 Amaryllis Drive, later admitted to police that he had been drinking the evening of his alleged crime spree, Jensen said.

He is being held in the Will County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.

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