Lincoln man pleads guilty to burning Lincoln’s IGA grocery store

[September 13, 2022]   On September 7, 2022, Michael Rowland (d.o.b.: 12-29-82), of the 500 block of 7TH Street, Lincoln, Illinois, pled guilty to Arson and Criminal Damage to Property, each a Class 2 felony.

On June 11, 2021, at approximately 3:55 a.m. Lincoln Police, Fire, and EMS personnel were dispatched to Lincoln’s IGA grocery store, located at 713 Pulaski Street. Upon arrival, first responders observed the building to be fully engulfed in flames. Lincoln Police began to secure the scene and observed Michael Rowland less than a block away from the store. When police shined their flashlights at Rowland, he ran. A short time later, not far from where he was first seen, Rowland was found hiding in the backyard of a residence, under an elevated sandbox.

Upon apprehension, Lincoln Police searched Rowland and the area in which he was found and located items that would be found inside the IGA, including unused price tag strips, a knit glove, two (2) lighters, and a blue IGA jacket. Rowland’s clothing was seized as evidence and smelled strongly of smoke. Just outside the back door of the IGA, Lincoln Police found a cart containing computer screens, numerous packages of unopened cigarettes, a price tag applicator device, and a large quantity of scratch off lottery tickets.

Once the fire was extinguished, Lincoln Fire Investigators and Illinois State Fire Marshalls examined the scene and collected evidence, including surveillance footage. The surveillance footage showed Rowland was inside the store after it was closed but before the fire started. The fire investigators concluded that there were three (3) separate and distinct areas of origin for the fire and the incident was documented as incendiary.

At the time of this offense, Rowland had been on pre-trial release for two (2) other felony cases. In addition to pleading guilty to Arson and Criminal Damage to Property in the case involving the IGA, Rowland pled guilty to Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer, a Class 4 felony, and Domestic Battery, a Class A misdemeanor. Rowland also pled guilty to Retail Theft, a Class 3 felony.

Rowland’s criminal history includes ten (10) prior felony convictions. With the exception of one (1) case out of Greene County, all of Rowland’s prior convictions were from Madison County. The prior felony convictions include Forgery, Burglary, Possession of Stolen Vehicle, Residential Burglary, Theft, Retail Theft, Methamphetamine Manufacturing, and Possession of Anhydrous Ammonia.

Based on Illinois law, Rowland is eligible for probation in each of the cases; however, he is also eligible for a sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections for a total imprisonment of between 6 years and 30 years, followed by 1 year of mandatory supervised release. Pursuant to Illinois law, Rowland must serve at least 50% of any sentence to the Department of Corrections.

Rowland’s sentencing date has been scheduled for November 4, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.

[BRADLEY M. HAUGE, LOGAN COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY]