Chaos erupted at a busy Woodstock, Illinois Walmart on New Year’s Eve after a brazen woman, identified as 21-year-old Adilyn Monette, allegedly walked in and set fire to the store’s infant section, authorities say.
According to officials from McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, Monette is now facing aggravated arson charges after the dramatic incident that unfolded Wednesday night. The judge was having none of it, slapping Monette with a denial of pretrial release during her Friday court hearing.
The blaze reportedly ignited shortly after 7:20 p.m. on December 31. Surveillance footage captured Monette grabbing a can of camping fuel in the outdoor gear aisle, tossing it in her cart, and wheeling over to the area filled with baby cribs. Not finished yet, she allegedly circled back for a second fuel can before unleashing a fiery nightmare. Police say Monette was seen on camera dousing multiple cribs with the combustible liquid, sparking the inferno with matches, and then casually walking out while panic spread across the packed store.
As the flames spread, fire alarms blared and managers rushed to evacuate frightened shoppers. The building’s automatic sprinkler system managed to snuff out the blaze at the back of the store before anyone was hurt, but the damage was colossal. Walmart management estimates the destruction to inventory and infrastructure exceeds $5 million, and the store at 1275 Lake Ave. remains shuttered while repairs are underway.
Detectives were quick on Monette’s trail, tracking her down through her car registration after Woodstock Police and Fire units stormed the scene.
“Given the crowd inside, we’re counting our blessings that Walmart staff, firefighters, and police moved quickly and kept everyone safe,” said McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese, praising the rapid response.
Court records also reveal Monette’s rap sheet is growing—a pending Colorado arson charge had already put her under supervised release at the time of this Walmart incident. Still, investigators are stumped on what motivated her most recent fiery stunt. Monette’s next court date is set for January 7, where more details may come to light.
