On 12/29/2025, at 0858 hours, Monee Police were dispatched to Gracie’s Burritos, 5756 W. Monee-Manhattan Road, to assist the Monee Fire Protection District with a fire in the restaurant. After crime scene processing and review of surveillance video, investigators determined the fire was started intentionally. The building was occupied by employees at the time of the incident, and there were no injuries.
On 12/30/2025 at approximately 1045 hours, Monee Police detectives responded to 4011 W. Lincoln Highway, Matteson, IL, and took Julius Peebles (male/33 years-old) of Richton Park, IL into custody. Julius was transported to the Monee Police Department for processing. Julius was charged under Illinois State Statute as follows:
720 ILCS 5/20-1 – Aggravated Arson
720 ILCS 5/19-1 – Burglary.
Julius was transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility to be held pending a pre-trial detention hearing. The Monee Police Department thanks the Steger Police Department, Matteson Police Department, Park Forest Police Department, Chicago Heights Police Department, and the Lansing Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.