3 Charged in Beach Park Bar Arson; Investigators Say Fire Was Revenge for Being Kicked Out

BEACH PARK, Ill. — Three Lake County men have been charged with arson after investigators say they intentionally set fire to a Beach Park bar in retaliation for being kicked out of the establishment weeks earlier, leaving the business with what officials described as “catastrophic damage.”

The fire broke out at approximately 5:55 a.m. on July 17 at Social Pub Inc., 37895 N. Sheridan Road in Beach Park. The Beach Park Fire Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to a fire alarm activation, but while crews were en route, a passing motorist called 911 to report the building was engulfed in flames. The incident was upgraded to a structure fire, prompting a MABAS box alarm that brought firefighters from numerous departments across Lake and Kenosha counties to the scene.

Firefighters battled the blaze for hours as investigators worked to preserve evidence. Authorities later determined the fire had been intentionally set following a joint investigation by the Beach Park Fire Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Sheriff’s detectives launched an extensive investigation that included reviewing surveillance footage from multiple locations, collecting evidence, and conducting numerous interviews. Investigators eventually identified a suspicious vehicle seen near the bar around the time the fire began. On July 23, detectives located the vehicle in the 900 block of Broadway Avenue in North Chicago, where they interviewed two people believed to be involved.

The investigation led to the arrests of:

• Fernando A. Mejia, 18, of North Chicago
• Fulgencio Benites-Gaspar, 36, of North Chicago
• Estivent J. Mena-Ferrera, 21, of Waukegan

According to investigators, Mejia and Benites-Gaspar were angry after being removed from the bar several weeks before the fire and allegedly devised a plan to burn the business down. Detectives determined Mena-Ferrera also participated in carrying out the arson.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of Arson, a Class 2 felony, against each defendant. Prosecutors have also filed petitions seeking to keep all three men detained while they await trial. All three remain in the Lake County Jail and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg praised detectives for solving what he described as a difficult case.

“Their work led to the identification and arrest of those responsible for an incredibly dangerous crime that put firefighters and others at significant risk.”

No injuries were reported in the fire, but the blaze caused extensive structural damage to Social Pub, leaving the longtime Beach Park business heavily damaged. The investigation remains ongoing.