DEARBORN (WWJ) – A Detroit man is facing charges after he was caught trying to set a Dearborn supermarket on fire over the weekend.
Marcus Flowers, 28, has been charged with one count of arson – preparation to burn, and one count of third-degree fleeing and eluding after he was caught fleeing the scene early Sunday morning.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. on May 8 as Dearborn police officers were patrolling the area near Dearborn Fresh Market in the 13660 block of Colson Street.
Authorities saw the south side of the building was engulfed in flames and then spotted Flowers speeding away from the scene.
Police tried to conduct a traffic stop, but he kept speeding away. Eventually, Flowers got out of his car and tried to run away, but he was brought down at a house in the 14660 block of Michels Street after a short foot pursuit.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office alleges flowers poured gasoline on the ground and lit it on fire, causing it to spread on the south side of the supermarket.
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Dearborn police said the supermarket was the target of arson twice over the weekend. Prior to Sunday morning’s incident, someone had tried to set the supermarket on fire around 11:30 p.m. Friday.
Fire personnel were able to extinguish the flames quickly, but officials said the fire and suppression system had already caused damage to the market. Officials with the market had offered a $50,000 reward for tips in the case after Friday’s fire.
Authorities did not say whether they believe Flowers was responsible for both incidents.
Flowers was scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon.
