Arrest made in connection to arson of Racine's Thelma Orr COP House
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An arrest has been in made in connection to the arson of a community policing house in Racine during civil unrest Monday, June 1.
"Our investigative team along with investigators from surrounding areas were able to take into custody the first individual who will be charged in this act,” Chief Art Howell, said. “This person is not from the City of Racine.”
Racine police have not released where the suspect is from or any other details.
"Monday the Villa Street Community Oriented Policing (COP) House was set on fire. The crime devastated many in the Racine Community as this house is dedicated to Thelma Orr, a community activist who dedicated her life to helping others."
The COP House is one of six in Racine that strives to build positive relationships between police and community members while reducing crime and empowering citizens to take back their neighborhoods.
"The irony is this is exactly the kind of policing people are calling for,” Mayor Cory Mason said.
The house that means so much not only to the Racine Police Department, but to the entire community, will be rebuilt.
"We’re not going anywhere,” Lt. Jessie Metoyer, Racine Police Department, said.