Investigators say masked man torched Elkton store before stealing jewelry and fleeing on motorcycle
CECIL COUNTY, Md. — A New Jersey man accused of setting a fire inside an Elkton Walmart using fireworks and camping fuel before stealing jewelry and fleeing on a motorcycle has been arrested after investigators linked him to the brazen attack, officials announced Friday.
Anthony J. Rhodes, 36, of Berlin, New Jersey, was taken into custody Thursday morning by the Berlin Township Police Department without incident, according to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Authorities said Rhodes faces multiple charges, including first-degree arson and manufacturing an explosive device.
Investigators said the fire erupted around 7 p.m. April 29 inside the Walmart located at 1000 E. Pulaski Highway in Elkton.
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Firefighters from the Singerly Fire Company and surrounding departments quickly controlled the blaze before the Office of the State Fire Marshal launched an investigation.
According to investigators, surveillance footage showed a masked man entering the store carrying a backpack before using camping fuel and several boxes of fireworks to ignite a fire inside a grocery cart near the children’s clothing section.
As the flames spread and fireworks discharged inside the store, customers and employees rushed to evacuate.
Authorities said the suspect then broke into a jewelry counter and stole nearly $10,000 worth of jewelry before leaving the store and escaping on a motorcycle.
While direct fire damage was initially estimated at approximately $5,000, Walmart later reported inventory losses tied to smoke, soot and remediation efforts totaled nearly $10 million.
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Investigators said the suspect was wearing a Jefferson University Baseball T-shirt during the incident, which helped Deputy State Fire Marshals identify Rhodes through investigative leads.
Officials said Rhodes has no connection to Jefferson University or its baseball program.
Rhodes is currently being held at the Camden County Correctional Facility in New Jersey pending extradition to Maryland.
The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal said the investigation involved assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Walmart Global Investigations.
Key Points
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- A New Jersey man was arrested in connection with the Walmart fire in Elkton that caused nearly $10 million in losses
- Investigators said the suspect used fireworks and camping fuel to ignite the blaze before stealing jewelry
- Authorities tracked the suspect through surveillance footage and distinctive clothing
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