GRANITE CITY – A man accused of attempting to commit an act of arson in a Granite City park has been ordered released from custody.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
50-year-old Frank H. Genovese of Granite City was charged on June 16, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of attempted arson and a Class A misdemeanor count of resisting a peace officer.
Genovese allegedly knowingly “broke open a bag of gasoline on a wooden pavilion at Civic Park” in Granite City on the same day, according to charging documents. In doing so, he reportedly knowingly took a substantial step towards committing an act of arson with the intention of damaging the city-owned property by means of fire. He is also accused of resisting his lawful detention by a Granite City Police officer.
Officers approached Genovese after seeing him activating a lighter near a pavilion in Civic Park after “hearing the sound of liquid splashing on the wooden stage,” according to the state’s petition to deny his pretrial release from custody.
When officers attempted to investigate, Genovese allegedly tried walking away from the scene before being detained. He then reportedly resisted detention by pulling away from the officers and refusing to comply with lawful orders.
“Officers then approached the stage, observing that defendant had broken a plastic bag full of gasoline or other accelerant on the stage,” the petition states. “Officers found additional bags of gasoline on defendant's bicycle, along with several lighters in his possession.”
The state’s petition was ultimately denied, and Genovese has since been ordered released from custody pending trial. According to an Order of Release filed in this case, the state failed to meet the burden of “clear and convincing evidence” that Genovese committed the offense of attempted arson.
Genovese is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 17, 2026 in the case presented by the Granite City Police Department.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
