Fire marshal seeks help identifying suspect in Walmart arson, jewelry theft case in Elkton

CECIL COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — Investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect they say set a fire inside the Elkton Walmart Supercenter as a diversion before stealing merchandise from the jewelry counter.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal said on Wednesday, April 29, just after 7 p.m., 911 callers reported a fire at the store at 1000 E. Pulaski Highway in Cecil County.

Employees and customers immediately evacuated the store.

Firefighters from the Singerly Fire Company, along with surrounding departments, responded and extinguished the fire within minutes, the agency said.

Although the store was equipped with fire sprinklers, investigators determined they did not activate because the fire did not reach the temperature required to activate them properly.

Deputy state fire marshals concluded the fire was set as a diversion. Investigators determined the suspect used camp fuel and fireworks from the store to ignite a shelf of boys’ clothing.

During the evacuation, investigators said the suspect forced entry into the jewelry counter and stole a small amount of merchandise.

The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20’s who was seen wearing a Jefferson University Baseball shirt, a mask, and a Walmart-style vest. Investigators said he left the store on a motorcycle without a license plate.

Damages were estimated at $5,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call the State Fire Marshal at 410-386-3050.