Melrose Park man arrested for allegedly setting Chicago’s ‘Walking Man’ on fire while asleep: CPD

CHICAGO (WLS) — A 27-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly setting a 75-year-old homeless man on hearth in downtown Chicago final week.
Joseph Guardia, of Melrose Park, was arrested and charged with tried homicide and arson, Chicago police introduced Sunday.
A number of experiences say the sufferer, Joseph Kromelis, is a widely known member of town’s homeless neighborhood and is usually seen roaming with downtown space. Many have nicknamed him “Strolling Man.”

Police stated Guardia is the person who allegedly doused Kromelis in flammable liquid and lit him on hearth early Wednesday morning as he was mendacity on the bottom on the intersection of Kinzie and Decrease Wabash.

Kromelis suffered burns to almost half his physique and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the place he’s listed in important situation.
A safety officer from a close-by constructing used a hearth extinguisher to place the fireplace out.

A Surveillance picture launched by police confirmed a person working from the scene west on Kinzie.

Advocates for the homeless say dwelling on the road may be harmful.

“That is actually not the primary or second time one thing unlucky like this has occurred,” stated Ali Simmons, with Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
In Could 2016, Kromelis was attacked by somebody wielding a bat. He recovered after weeks within the hospital.

Activists say many extra crimes in opposition to the homeless go unreported.

“We’re coping with issues now, with our Texas households. We misplaced children. And you’ve got the nerve to set a homeless man on hearth. How are you going to stay with your self?” stated Michael Airhart, with Style for the Homeless.

A $1,000 reward was supplied by each Michael Airhart and Andrew Holmes for data resulting in an arrest on this case.