SALEM — Two Salem juvenile males have been arrested in connection with a Sunday fire at the old Apostolic Church in Salem.
According to Salem Police Chief Sean Reynolds, officers responded just after 8 p.m. to the vacant church at 621 North Shelby Street.
After speaking with witnesses, officers located two male juveniles – one 13-years-old and the other 14-years-old. The juveniles and their parents were subsequently questioned at the Salem Police Department where the juveniles reportedly admitted to starting the fire.
The police then contacted Probation Services that informed them both juveniles had enough points to be taken into custody.
The teens were then taken to the Marion County Jail and Reynolds believes they were then transported to the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. They were due in juvenile court at 1 p.m. Monday in Marion County Court where they were released to home confinement via electronic devices. They’re next due in court July 27th.
The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the scene of the fire to investigate.
North Shelby and North Marion streets were closed for over an hour Sunday as firefighters fought the blaze at the long-vacant building.