- Anthony J. Rhodes, 36, from New Jersey, is accused of setting a fire at a Maryland Walmart to distract while stealing jewelry.
- The fire, ignited with camping fuel and fireworks, caused nearly $10 million in losses for Walmart.
- Rhodes was arrested in New Jersey and faces charges including first-degree arson after allegedly stealing nearly $10,000 in merchandise.
ELKTON, MARYLAND — Months after an assistant principal was accused of stealing 98 items from Walmart, another Walmart theft case has taken a much more dangerous turn. This time, a New Jersey man is accused of setting a fire inside a Maryland Walmart to distract workers and shoppers while he stole jewelry from the store.
Anthony J. Rhodes, 36, of Berlin, New Jersey, is facing several charges, including first-degree arson and manufacturing an explosive device. Authorities say the fire happened on the evening of April 29 at the Walmart Supercenter on East Pulaski Highway in Elkton, Maryland.
Fire Started in Children’s Clothing Section
Firefighters were called to the Walmart at around 7 p.m. The Singerly Fire Company and nearby fire departments responded and put out the flames within minutes.
Investigators later reviewed security video from the store. They say a masked man entered Walmart with a backpack, then used camping fuel and several boxes of fireworks to set a shopping cart on fire near the children’s clothing section.
As the flames grew, the fireworks began going off inside the store. Shoppers and employees rushed out as smoke, fire, and confusion spread through the building.
Jewelry Counter Hit During Chaos
Authorities say the fire was not random. They believe it was set as a distraction so the suspect could steal from the jewelry counter.
While people were evacuating, the man allegedly broke into the jewelry area and stole nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise. Investigators say he then left the store and fled on a motorcycle.
Direct fire damage was first estimated at about $5,000. Walmart later said the total inventory loss was far higher. Because of smoke, soot, dust, and cleanup work, the company reported nearly $10 million in losses.
T-Shirt Helped Identify Suspect
Investigators said the suspect was seen wearing a Jefferson University baseball T-shirt during the incident. That detail helped authorities identify Rhodes, even though officials said he has no known connection to Jefferson University or its baseball program.
The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal worked with the ATF and Walmart Global Investigations during the case.
Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said the investigation required teamwork and praised the agencies involved for helping identify a suspect quickly.
Arrested in New Jersey
Rhodes was arrested on Thursday by police in Berlin Township, New Jersey, after an arrest warrant was issued earlier in May.
As of Friday, he was being held at the Camden County, New Jersey, Correctional Facility. He is expected to be extradited to Cecil County, Maryland, where the charges were filed.
Authorities have not reported any serious injuries from the fire, but the case has raised concern because the flames were started in a busy store near children’s clothing and used fireworks to create even more panic.
To view more cases involving major thefts, dangerous distractions, and crimes inside retail stores, check out our video here:
