Man saving animals from pet store fire arrested after shoving cop, Illinois police say

An Illinois man rushed into his sister’s burning pet store to rescue animals from the fire, police say.

He ended up under arrest.

James F. Boekeloo, 50, entered his sister’s pet store Tanks/Boek-el-Zoo in Princeton while firefighters were inside the Main Street building battling the blaze on Saturday, according to police. The fire led to an explosion inside the pet store as smoke filled the building and windows cracked and broke in the heat.

Firefighters inside the building told police, who were outside the pet store, that Boekeloo was inside.

Boekeloo initially refused to get out of the building when a police officer ordered him to leave, police said. When he finally left the building, Boekeloo is accused of pushing the cop. He shoved the officer again after being told he was under arrest, police said.

Boekeloo continued to resist arrest when another officer arrived to help, prompting firefighters to assist, police said.

“While his efforts are noble, they were extremely dangerous,” police said in a news release. “At any time he could have been injured, causing fire fighters to pause their fire fighting efforts to rescue him. Fortunately, that did not happen.”

Boekeloo was charged with felony aggravated battery to a police officer and obstructing justice, but those lowered to misdemeanor offenses, police said.

The pet store shared photos of the damage on Facebook.

A day after the fire, a man called dispatchers threatening to burn buildings and riot over Boekeloo’s arrest, police said. A police sergeant talked to the caller and told him he could protest peacefully. There was a peaceful protest later that day.

“We are saddened by the loss of animals lives and by the damage caused to one of our valued local businesses,” police said. “We are also inspired by the community efforts displayed that night, and the following day to help the businesses impacted by the fire.”

This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 2:04 PM with the headline "Man saving animals from pet store fire arrested after shoving cop, Illinois police say."