Brownsville teenager in jail; charged with torching four vehicles

BROWNSVILLE - A Brownsville teenager is in Cameron County jail after police said he confessed that he set fire to four neighborhood vehicles, according to a police report.

Alberto Gonzalez, 17, is accused of burning a Chevy Suburban, a Lincoln Town Car, a Chevy Silverado and a Chrysler Intrepid early Wednesday morning on Lemon Street, police said.

The fires destroyed the Suburban and Town Car, and damaged the Silverado and Chrysler, police spokesman Jimmy Manrrique said.

"It was clear from the crime scene that he was very disorganized," Manrrique said. "He was cognizant of what he was doing, but he didn't do a very good job."

He was caught about 5:15 a.m. when police found him running in the neighborhood near Faulk Middle School, police said.

Police said Gonzalez had soot on his hands, that his shirt was dirty and that he smelled of gasoline.

Manrrique said Gonzalez confessed to police and told investigators that he committed the acts of arson because he was angry that people had called him "retarded."

Gonzalez faces two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if he is convicted, police said.