Illinois Man Charged With Setting Fire to Crown Point Church Prayer Building
Crown Point-An Illinois man, Tyler Jacob Cyr, 24, has been charged after investigators say he intentionally set fire to an exterior prayer building at Sts. Peter and Paul Macedonian Orthodox Church.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows a black Honda Civic pull up in front of the prayer building shortly after 1:20 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2025. The affidavit states the male who exited the vehicle is heard on the camera audio saying, “it’s a giant building of garbage…there’s no one here, like literally.” The man is then heard saying, “the owner is making lots of money off of you…why do you have security cameras in the lame building… Jesus would have this place burned.” Moments later smoke and fire are visible inside the structure and the vehicle leaves the scene.
Detectives later identified the vehicle as a 2015 Honda Civic registered to Cyr and say photographic and video comparisons — plus a recent traffic stop involving the same car — linked him to the scene. Investigators say the fire caused heavy damage to the prayer building and estimate repairs at roughly $30,000. Fire investigators concluded the blaze appeared to be intentionally set.
During the investigation, Cyr left a voicemail for detectives that the affidavit quotes as: “My God, God of Abraham will take care of it…Jesus paid it all…forgiven me for all things…whom shall I fear for God is with me.” The affidavit notes that investigators determined the voice on the voicemail matched the voice heard on the surveillance audio.
Charges filed November 5,2025:
• Arson — damage by fire or explosive to a structure used for religious worship (Level 4 Felony)
• Arson — damage by fire to property of another causing pecuniary loss at least $5,000 (Level 4 Felony)
• Institutional Criminal Mischief — damage to property at a protected site (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Criminal Mischief — damage between $750 and $50,000 (Class A Misdemeanor)
