THOMASVILLE — A suspect in a Saturday arson that destroyed a storage building at Cross Creek Elementary School was arrested Sunday, according to authorities.  

Joseph Robert Aracri, 18, of Valdosta, was arrested after deputies located him, according to Lt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator. 

“He admitted to starting the fire,” Watkins said. 

The fire occurred around 6:51 p.m. Deputies responded and found a storage building that “was fully engulfed in flames,” Watkins said. Thomas County Fire/Rescue also responded to the incident.  

Campus video surveillance captured a suspect setting the storage shed ablaze. A dumpster behind the school also was set on fire. 

A school resource officer, Watkins said, was able to identify Aracri from the video. 

Aracri is charged with one count of second degree arson and one count of third degree arson. The second degree charge stems from the storage building fire and the third degree from the dumpster fire, according to Watkins. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.