Following a recent blaze at a Nashville clothing store, authorities have apprehended and charged Pardrae Gooch, 37, with aggravated arson. According to a statement from the Nashville Fire Department, the fire in question engulfed S Fashion Clothing Store on Nolensville Pike on May 29th.
The incident not only left the store with scorched goods and a damaged restroom but an employee was also assaulted and robbed before being knocked unconscious. Gooch's reckless behavior, not ceasing with the theft or assault, escalated to him setting the store ablaze while the employee was incapacitated inside. In a collaboration between the Nashville Fire Department and Metro Nashville Police Department, Gooch’s actions were pieced together through witness testimony and store surveillance footage.
Nashville Fire Department investigators were quick to eliminate accidental causes, confirming the fire was set intentionally. The department’s efforts were bolstered by Metro Nashville Police Department detectives, who reviewed the video evidence, leading to the victim identifying Gooch as the perpetrator. Charged with aggravated arson, Gooch's bond is set at $100,000, but his legal challenges are compounded by additional charges related to robbery and the ensuing property damage.
Gooch is scheduled to appear in court on June 7, 2024, at 12:35 p.m., but the impact of his alleged crimes will be felt for some time. The Nashville Fire Department is calling on the public to report any information about this crime or others like it, offering cash rewards for tips leading to arrests or convictions through their Arson Hotline.
Community cooperation is crucial in these matters. Those with any information can reach out anonymously to the Nashville Fire Department Arson Hotline at 615-862-5640 or the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017, operative 24 hours a day. While the immediate dangers of fire are clear, the indirect costs of arson are a lingering smoke that chokes a community's vitality, demanding vigilance and a unified front to extinguish.
