Arson suspect arrested after fire at suburban Target damages $1.5M in items

A Nevada man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire at a Target store in suburban Rosemont that damaged at least $1.5 million in merchandise, authorities said.

Denny Ellis, 56, of Nevada, was charged with aggravated arson, a Class X felony, for Thursday’s fire at Target, 7000 Mannheim Rd., police stated.

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First responders were called around noon that day and located a fire near the store’s diaper aisle, Rosemont police said in a news release. Multiple sprinklers were activated and employees attempted to extinguish the fire before first responders arrived, according to authorities.

All shoppers and employees left the building on time and no injuries were reported.

According to police, the smoke damage “extended beyond the fire area and included most of the store.” Estimates indicate a loss of merchandise of at least $1.5 million, officials said.

After the fire, investigators quickly identified a suspect and located his vehicle in the suburb of Elk Grove Village through the use of license plate readers. Ellis was arrested and lodged in the Cook County Jail.

No additional information about the fire, including a possible cause, has been released.