Man Set Off Fireworks In MD Walmart To Steal Jewelry: Officials

ELKTON, MD — A New Jersey man is facing charges after officials said he set off fireworks inside a Maryland Walmart before stealing $10,000 in jewelry.

Anthony J. Rhodes, 36, of Berlin, New Jersey, is charged with numerous offenses, including first-degree arson and manufacturing an explosive device, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal said in a statement.

According to officials, multiple fire departments were called to Walmart at 1000 East Pulaski Hwy. in Elkton around 7 p.m. on April 29 after receiving reports of a fire inside the store.

The fire was under control within minutes, officials said.

Video footage showed a man entering the store with a mask over his face and a backpack. He then used a can of camping fuel and multiple boxes of fireworks to start a fire in a shopping cart near the kids' clothing area.

The fire grew, causing fireworks to discharge and shoppers and staff to flee the store, officials said. The man then broke into the jewelry counter and stole multiple items valued at nearly $10,000, according to authorities.

Following the theft, the man left the store and drove away on a motorcycle.

It was estimated early that the fire caused around $5,000 in direct fire damage; however, the inventory lost due to smoke, soot, and subsequent remediation efforts totaled nearly $10 million, according to Walmart.

During the investigation, authorities said they noticed Rhodes was wearing a Jefferson University baseball t-shirt and used that to identify him in the case. He has no connection to the university or the team, authorities said.

Rhodes was arrested on Thursday in New Jersey by the Berlin Township Police Department. He was taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility to await extradition to Maryland.