17-year-old charged with arson after crime was reported to 911 from his cell phone

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – A 17-year-old is facing an arson charge after allegedly setting a garage on fire near 25th and Ohio in Milwaukee. The call to 911 reporting the fire was made from the 17-year-old's phone.

Court documents say Jarvel Goodman was taken into custody on September 2.

Authorities a 911 caller described seeing the suspect pouring gasoline on a garage and lighting it on fire. The caller also described what the suspect was wearing. Court documents state the caller refused to give his name.

Once on scene, officers spotted a person matching the description of the suspect. That person was identified as Goodman who police say immediately put his hands up in the air and said, “I did it, it was me”. An officer responded, “you did what?” and Goodman replied “the fire”.

Later, authorities called the 911 caller back and Goodman’s phone rang. Authorities believe the 911 caller was either Goodman himself or someone who called from his phone.

Goodman told police he set the fire because “he just did not care”.

The fire caused $1,000 in damages. Goodman faces 40 years in prison.

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