From the State’s Attorney:

COURT GRANTS STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE’S PETITION TO DETAIN MAN ACCUSED OF INTENTIONALLY SETTING FIRE TO CAR IN HARVARD

McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announced today that the Honorable Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the State’s motion to deny pretrial release for Aidan M. O’Donoghue, 24, of Harvard.

O’Donoghue appeared in Initial Appearance Court on October 23, 2025, charged with Arson for allegedly setting fire to a car in Harvard.

Evidence presented in court this afternoon established that deputies with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a car fire in Harvard.

Video footage depicts O’Donoghue unlocking the driver’s side door, entering the vehicle, and then shortly after walking to the other side of the vehicle.

Within moments, small flames are visible through the windshield by the steering wheel where O’Donoghue had just entered. 

The owner of the vehicle attempted to extinguish the flames but was unsuccessful. 

The vehicle eventually became engulfed in flames. 

When officers arrived, O’Donoghue was still on scene and in possession of a large hunting knife. 

O’Donoghue refused commands to drop the knife and officers attempted negotiations for several minutes before they were able to subdue O’Donoghue and safely take him into custody. 

State’s Attorney Freese wishes to commend the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the Harvard Fire Department for their swift actions in controlling the fire and apprehending O’Donoghue. 

O’Donoghue next court appearance is scheduled for October 30, 2025, at 9am. 

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.