Massive Fire Set in Maryland Walmart During Jewelry Heist

A man from New Jersey was arrested on Thursday, suspected of igniting a large fire using camping fuel and fireworks inside a Walmart in Maryland. This act was allegedly part of a diversion to execute a jewelry theft worth $10,000.

Anthony J. Rose, 36, from Berlin, New Jersey, was apprehended by local authorities without incident. He is currently held in the Camden County Jail, awaiting extradition to Maryland.

He’s facing serious charges, including first-degree arson and the manufacture of an explosive device.

The incident reportedly took place on April 29, at a Walmart in Elkton, as detailed by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Authorities revealed that security footage captured a masked man entering the store with a backpack, filling a grocery cart with camping fuel and multiple boxes of fireworks.

Afterward, he positioned the cart near the children’s clothing section and ignited it.

As the fire intensified and the fireworks started going off, a chaotic scene unfolded; customers and employees rushed to flee the store.

The suspect then quickly approached the jewelry counter, making off with around $10,000 in merchandise, before escaping on a motorcycle.

Firefighters from Singery Fire Company rapidly extinguished the flames, keeping direct fire damage to about $5,000. However, Walmart reported that smoke, soot, and cleanup efforts led to an estimated $10 million loss in inventory.

Officials noted that Rose was wearing a Jefferson University baseball T-shirt during the incident, which played a role in identifying him.

Interestingly, the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office stated that Rose had no affiliation with the university or its athletic teams.

The investigation saw collaboration between the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Walmart Global Investigations.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray expressed relief over the swift identification of the suspect, highlighting the teamwork involved: “An investigation like this requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, and I’m proud of everyone who was able to bring this case to a close.”

A spokesperson for Walmart expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts with law enforcement in this investigation.