On Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, Wheaton Police Officers responded to the 900 block of North Webster Avenue for a structure fire in a two-story house, which is divided into a main-level apartment and a basement apartment. A resident had called 9-1-1 after his main-level apartment began to fill with smoke.
Wheaton Police Officers knocked at the back door, and Myles Aldinger exited a bedroom in the rear of the apartment, yelled profanities and refused to exit the apartment.
The Wheaton Fire Department arrived on scene and immediately forced entry into the lower unit, located and extinguished a purse that was on fire on top of the stove. Wheaton Police Officers entered the apartment to provide emergency aid to Aldinger and search for any other unknown residents within the unit.
The fire caused damage to the interior of the apartment, however, the residence was deemed safe for inhabitants and released to the occupants.
After a thorough investigation by Wheaton Police Department detectives, it is alleged that Myles Aldinger intentionally ignited the purse on top of the stove and had knowledge the upstairs tenant was present. Felony charges were approved by an assistant of State's Attorney Bob Berlin's office. An arrest warrant was issued for Myles Aldinger for the offenses of Aggravated Arson and Residential Arson.
On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, Aldinger was taken into custody at the DuPage County Jail, where he is being held on the following charges: $250,000 (10% bail authorized) – Wheaton Police Department original arrest warrant for Aggravated Arson – Knowledge of People Present (Class X) and Residential Arson (Class 1)
Myles Aldinger
35 years of age
Last known address: 900 block north Webster Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant's guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government's burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.