DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police P.J. Youker announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a homeless man accused of setting fire to the home of his aunt and uncle. Nahom T. Abraha, 40 (d.o.b. 8/27/1986) appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Arson, a Class X Felony.           

On Sept. 13, 2026, at approximately 6:28 a.m., the Wheaton Fire and Police Departments responded to a residence on fire in the 200 block of Woodlawn Street. Upon their arrival, officers spoke with a neighbor who, after hearing a noise outside his home, went outside and observed the back of the home on fire. The neighbor went back to his home, retrieved a fire extinguisher and returned to his neighbor’s house and put the fire out. 

While securing the scene, officers found a large, clear bottle containing a yellow liquid in the yard of a neighboring residence. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Abraha went to the residence with a three-liter water container containing gasoline. It is alleged that Abraha then poured the gasoline on his aunt and uncle’s home, ignited the gasoline and then returned to his car. It is alleged that Abraha remained in his car until he saw the neighbor exit his house, at which time Abraha drove to the Wheaton Police Department and turned himself in.

“Mr. Abraha’s alleged actions endangered not only the lives of those inside the home, but also the lives of our first responders and others in the community,” Berlin said. “I commend the neighbor whose quick actions quite possibly averted a tragedy. I thank the Wheaton Police and Fire Departments for their quick response and subsequent investigation into this matter. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney’s Sandi Tanoue, Robert Willis and Eric Vincent for their efforts on this case.”

“Community safety is not a spectator sport,” Chief Youker said. “It takes public safety and residents working together to keep Wheaton a safe place to live. I would like to thank our first responders, detectives and our brave residents for their actions throughout this harrowing incident. I also thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for filing appropriate charges in this case and for their continued support of law enforcement.” 

Abraha’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 13, 2026, in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.           

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.











Nahom T. Abraha