Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
A 28-year-old former firefighter from Winthrop Harbor, Keith Kauppi, is currently in jail on $1 million bail. He faces serious charges of aggravated arson and attempted murder after allegedly trying to set his 70-year-old aunt, Kathleen Kauppi, on fire and frame her for multiple arsons in Winthrop Harbor and Pleasant Prairie.
Kauppi was arrested after confessing to starting a fire at his aunt’s home in December and another in June that left her with minor to severe burns. According to authorities, the fires were part of a plan to cover up his illegal activities, including forging checks from his aunt’s bank account.
Last week, Kathleen Kauppi was briefly arrested for an arson incident in Pleasant Prairie, but those charges were dropped after her nephew admitted to starting the fire. Police believe Kauppi set up his aunt to take the blame for the incidents, possibly to avoid being caught for financial fraud.
Joel Brumlik, chief of the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, stated that Kauppi was fired from his job at the Fire Department in February after being accused of forging checks. His aunt initially declined to press charges, but the situation escalated when Kauppi tried to continue the scheme.
According to police reports, the latest fire occurred at the home of the aunt’s brother, where she had been staying. The incident took place on Sunday night when the family was awakened by a loud crash. The nephew reportedly found the couch where his aunt was sleeping on fire, tried to put it out with water, and then helped move the burned items outside. He also mentioned that the living room smelled strongly of gasoline.
Police confirmed that traces of gasoline were found on the couch, a burned blanket, and scorched clothing. The aunt told officers she didn’t start the fire and refused to speak to her relatives afterward. It appears that Kauppi had planned this carefully, using the fire as a way to eliminate any witnesses or evidence against him.
After his confession during an interrogation, Kauppi led investigators to the scene where he had stored the gasoline. This has provided crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation into his alleged crimes.
Thanks, Dan
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