BAYONNE, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A Jersey City man wanted on outstanding warrants allegedly set fire to piles of clothing inside a Walmart over the weekend in an attempt to create a distraction and steal a TV.
Leroy Rabb Jr., 41, entered the store at the Bayonne Crossing shopping center Sunday morning, threw the clothing on the floor and torched it, according to surveillance footage reviewed by NJ.com.
He then walked over to the store's electronics section, grabbed a television and left the store without paying for it.
According to Bayonne Capt. Eric Amato, authorities responding to a report of a fire at the store encountered hundreds of people evacuating the store, including store employees and customers. The fire was extinguished by employees.
Amato said that around 650 people, including 50 infants and toddlers, were in the store at the time of the fire. No injuries or extensive damages were reported as a result of the incident.
When officers received a description of Rabb, they quickly located him in the parking lot, hiding behind a parked car. Amato said the suspect was positively identified and arrested.
During the arrest process, Rabb was found to be wanted on two outstanding warrants, one from Jersey City and the other from the Hudson County Superior Court.
He was charged with shoplifting, aggravated arson, risking/causing widespread injury or damage and endangering the welfare of children.
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