2 Charged In COP House Arson Case

RACINE, WI — Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with the burning of the Villa Street COP House in Racine, authorities say. Videos posted on social media led to the arrests.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Racine County, Justin C. Hernandez, 25, of Kenosha, and Kylie Gelmi, 20, of Mount Pleasant, have been charged with burglary and arson related to the COP House fire.

Smashed windows, and a burned-out building are what remained Monday morning after the Thelma Orr Community Policing House was torched Sunday night in Racine. The COP House, named after a lifelong community activist, was set on fire by protesters around 2 a.m. Monday following a confrontation with police, according to Racine Police Chief Art Howell.
By 2:36 a.m., the fire had been put out, according to preliminary reports.

By daylight Monday, the damage was evident. Racine Mayor Cory Mason was in a somber mood as he stood on the sidewalk on the 1100 block of Villa Street, taking iPhone photos of the wreckage. Television crews captured footage of the aftermath as people from the neighborhood passed by in disbelief as they saw the extent of the damage.

Authorities say they viewed social media video posts related to the COP House fire. In one video, investigators say they saw a man with silver glasses and a chinstrap-style beard turn to the camera to watch the burning back door. Investigators say they heard the man say, "we went in there and destroyed all that."

According to the criminal complaint, investigators were able to identify that man as Hernandez. Authorities say Hernandez admitted to setting fire to the exterior of the house during questioning by police.

Authorities said Hernandez identified himself in more than one video where he was shown trying to start a second fire on the back porch.

According to the criminal complaint, Hernandez allowed investigators to search his cell phone for more videos of the fire.

Police said they identified Gelmi in one of the videos. According to the criminal complaint, Gelmi could be seen placing an item into the fire that evening.

Court records show that Gelmi and Hernandez are both being held in the Racine County Jail on $10,000 cash bonds. She's due next in court on July 1 for a hearing.