Man Arrested in Connection to Setting School Cars on Fire

Written by Steven Burns

A Suwanee man is facing an arson charge after several vehicles, two of which were owned by the Gwinnett school system, were damaged, according to police.

Justin A. Doskocil of a Jackson Park Lane address was booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center in connection with the Sept. 29 incident outside the GCPS Instructional Support Center in Suwanee, according to the Gwinnett Police incident report.

An officer initially responded to a report of vehicles on fire and smoking outside 439 Old Peachtree Road, the area of the GCPS headquarters, about 7:40 p.m., the incident report said.

The complainant said he saw a white male in a motorized wheelchair traveling south on Old Peachtree Road at the same time the vehicles were on fire.

The officers located the person in the wheelchair, who later was identified as the suspect.

Doskocil said he just left his house and was trying to find a gas station to buy cigarettes. He said he was traveling south down Old Peachtree Road until he saw that his wheelchair battery was dying, so he turned and headed home.

According to police, the suspect said he then realized that he lost the pack of cigarettes that he did have, and went back to look for them. The suspect said he did not see any vehicles on fire, or see anyone running from the location.

An arson unit was called to the scene, but the suspect was released after questioning, due to lack of evidence.

Two vehicles were found that had their gas doors open and had paper jammed into their gas tanks, then lit on fire. The fuel tanks did not ignite. A total of four vehicles were damaged.

The suspect was later arrested by Gwinnett Sheriff's Officers after warrants were taken out by Gwinnett Fire.

This information was furnished by Gwinnett Police and the Gwinnett Sheriff's Office. It does not indicate a conviction. Questions should be directed to suwanee@patch.com.