WAUKEGAN, IL– One of the two Highland Park males charged with starting the fire at the Lake Forest shop while drunken in last month’s deadly lakeside altercation.
Since September 19, Nicholas Caban, 20, has been free on bail as he waits for his case to be heard for the possession of a handgun with a tampered serial number.
After a dead body was discovered at Fort Sheridan Beach on September 17, authorities stated they carried out a search warrant and discovered a loaded 9mm Glock in Caban’s bedroom.
According to the Lake County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices, a neighbouring resident named Matthew Ascaridis, 45 died from multiple injuries sustained during a struggle with Caban and his friend, 18-year-old Jacob Firestone, shortly after 1 a.m. on a Saturday.
On the North Shore, Ascaridis, a father of two and the founder of a retirement planning business, coached a number of young hockey teams. The Northbrook-based group Helping Hands Network has created a memorial youth hockey scholarship fund in his honour.
Two accusations of obstructing justice have been brought against Firestone for allegedly trying to hide evidence after the altercation.
According to the authorities, Ascaridis confronted the couple about the disturbance they were making after leaving his home.
Firestone’s counsel claims that Ascaridis struck the 18-year-old with a flashlight, resulting in a brain bleed that necessitated hospitalisation. After being “pummelling” by Ascaridis, Caban, who showed up in court last month sporting a noticeable black eye, required multiple stitches to his head, according to his attorney.
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Caban was already under court supervision before being charged with a gun felony after pleading guilty to a narcotics offence last year. Prosecutors have been trying to cancel that plea agreement since April.
Following an incident with Lake Forest police on October 7, Caban has now been accused of felony arson and misdemeanour of underage drinking.
Firefighters and police were sent to Lou’s Garage, 1260 Skokie Highway, on the evening of October 7 in response to a report of a trailer on fire, according to Lake Forest police. The suspect was precisely described to police by witnesses when they saw someone leaving the trailer and travelling south on the bike path.
Police released Caban’s description to all neighbourhood departments, and a Highland Park officer quickly found Caban. He appeared to be inebriated and officers observed the fragrance of alcohol on his breath, according to the police.
Caban refused to speak with police, but a check of his person revealed a knife, two cigarette lighters, and a half-empty vodka bottle, according to police. He was given a $120 bond after being charged with minor in possession of alcohol.
Officers also discovered that Caban was on bond for the gun charge and that his bail agreement prohibited him from using alcohol or having hazardous weapons.
“Since Caban had a weapon and had ingested alcohol, officers consulted with the on-call Lake County State’s Attorney to get a bond violation. The Lake County States Attorney’s Office informed the officers that the bond violation would not be approved “Police were informed.
A state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman claimed that prosecutors lacked the legal jurisdiction to pursue a new felony charge of violating a bail bond, which may only be brought in connection with domestic violence or crimes involving a firearm.
Instead, after learning about the arson investigation, the state’s attorney’s office moved to enhance the cash part of Caban’s gun charge bond by filing a motion on October 12.
According to the existing law, Steve Spagnolo declared in a statement, “This was the proper method.”
When someone is charged with crimes while awaiting trial for other offences, prosecutors frequently submit applications to remove the bond.
The cash portion of Caban’s initial bond was increased by Lake County Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak on Monday in response to the prosecution’s request.
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The investigation into the fire on October 7 was completed “over several days,” according to Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, in time for Sunday’s approval of felony charges.
“[W]e have to take into account the fire department’s work and an eyewitness’s remarks after the incident, “In a statement, Rinehart stated. “I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped establish a strong case of arson against this defendant.
And on Tuesday, Lake County Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak issued an order requiring Caban to remain in custody until his upcoming court date unless he can produce $110,000 in cash, in which case he will have to continue to be under a 24-hour curfew.
Until he can pay the $7,500 cash portion of his bond for the obstruction charges, Firestone remains in custody. He must return to court on October 20.
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