Des Plaines Police Detective Michael Heene was awarded a plaque for “Outstanding Contributions in the Investigation of Arson” by Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez in a ceremony on November 6, 2012, at the Criminal Courts Building, 26th and California. The Illinois Arson Committee recognized Detective Heene for his work on an incident that occurred at 11:30 PM, on January 16, 2010, when the Des Plaines Police and Fire Departments responded to a large explosion at an apartment complex on Oakton Street, Des Plaines. Des Plaines Investigators, the Cook County Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms responded to the scene. After a lengthy investigation it was found that the offender, Richard Bilik, Des Plaines, had detonated a large improvised explosive device at the door of the residence of an apartment. Bilik had knowledge that three persons were inside the apartment. The explosion caused catastrophic damage to the apartment and neighboring units. The residents sustained relatively minor injuries and were treated and released from Lutheran General Hospital. On January 26, 2010, Bilik was taken into custody and charged with numerous felony counts including Class X Felony Aggravated Arson. He was held in the Cook County Jail on “no bond.”  The Special Prosecutions Bureau, Arson Unit, of the Cook County State’s Attorney, 26th and California, prosecuted the case in the District 2 Court, Skokie. The case went to a jury trial in October of 2012. The four day trial resulted in Bilik being found guilty of a Class X Felony Aggravated Arson and was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections where he must serve a minimum of 85% of his sentence. Bilik cannot be placed on parole until October 2022 at the earliest. (pictured left) Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez presents Des Plaines Police Detective Michael Heene (right) with a plaque for “Outstanding Contributions in the Investigation of Arson” at the Criminal Courts Building, 26th and California.