Walmart Torched By NJ Man, Officials Say

ELKTON, MD — A New Jersey Man was arrested after setting a Walmart in Maryland on fire and stealing nearly $10,000 in jewelry, the Maryland State Fire Marshal said.

Anthony J. Rhodes, 36, of Berlin, is charged with numerous offenses, including first-degree arson and manufacturing an explosive device.

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At around 7 p.m. on April 29, multiple fire departments in the area responded to a report of a fire inside the Walmart at 1000 East Pulaski Hwy.

The fire was under control within minutes, officials said.

Video footage showed a man who entered the store with a mask over his face and a backpack.

He then used a can of camping fuel with multiple boxes of fireworks to start a fire in a shopping cart near the kids' clothing area.

The fire began to grow, and fireworks were discharged as shoppers and staff fled the store.

Rhodes then broke into the jewelry counter, authorities said, and stole multiple items valued at nearly $10,000.

He left the store and drove away on a motorcycle.

The total of direct fire damage, inventory lost due to smoke, soot, and remediation efforts is estimated to cost $10 million, according to Walmart.

Fire Marshals noticed Rhodes was wearing a Jefferson University baseball t-shirt, and were able to use that as an aid to identify him in the case.

He has no connection, however, to the University or the team.

Rhodes was arrested without conflict on Thursday in Berlin by the Berlin Township Police Department.

He was then taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility to wait for extradition to Maryland.

The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal was also assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Walmart global detective team.

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