Man accused of starting a fire in a Maryland Walmart to steal $10,000 worth of jewelry

New Jersey Man Arrested for Arson and Jewelry Theft in Maryland Walmart

A man from New Jersey was arrested on Thursday after being suspected of starting a large fire using camping fuel and fireworks inside a Walmart in Maryland. This alarming event served as a distraction while he made off with about $10,000 in jewelry.

Anthony J. Rose, a 36-year-old from Berlin, New Jersey, was taken into custody by local authorities without any resistance. He is now being held in the Camden County Jail, awaiting extradition back to Maryland. He faces serious charges, including first-degree arson and the manufacturing of an explosive device.

The incident took place on the evening of April 29 at a Walmart in Elkton, as reported by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. Surveillance footage captured a masked man entering the store with a backpack, filling a shopping cart with camping fuel and several boxes of fireworks. He then positioned the cart next to the children’s clothing section and ignited it.

As the flames intensified and fireworks began to explode, panic ensued among customers and employees trying to evacuate the store. Authorities indicated that Rose then rushed to the jewelry counter and stole approximately $10,000 worth of items before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

Firefighters from the Singery Fire Company arrived promptly and managed to extinguish the flames, limiting the direct fire damage to around $5,000. However, Walmart disclosed that smoke, soot, and the cleanup process resulted in an estimated $10 million loss in inventory.

Witnesses described seeing sparks near the boys’ clothing section during the frightening chaos. Officials revealed that Rose was wearing a Jefferson University baseball T-shirt during the incident. Interestingly, he had no connections to the university or its sports teams.

Collaboration among the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Walmart Global Investigations played a crucial role in identifying the suspect quickly. “This investigation required a collaborative effort, and I’m proud of all involved in resolving the case,” said Deputy State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray.