Arsonist planned to steal baby formula while fire raged in children’s clothing section at California department store, authorities say
A female suspect was arrested after she allegedly lit a fire inside a California Target in an attempt to divert attention while she stole baby formula, authorities say.
The shocking incident unfolded in Buena Park just after 7 p.m. on September 5, but details about the case have just been made public.
On that day, authorities say 40-year-old Cynthia Torres entered the department store and set a blaze in the children’s clothing section.
Footage shot by a witness has been circulating on social media.
Flames can be seen licking the ceiling as the fire rages in the middle of the store.
“We thought it was a Halloween prop,” Guillermo Santander told KTLA. “All of a sudden the flame got bigger, so I started recording. It got pretty big real quick.”
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel arrived on the scene and extinguished the blaze.
“OCFA Arson Investigators and Buena Park Police Detectives conducted a joint investigation and determined the fire was intentionally set during an attempt to steal baby formula,” the Buena Park Police Department explained in a press release on Tuesday.
“The damage estimated at this time is $500K to the structure and $1M in retail loss, primarily due to water and smoke damage.”
Torres was arrested on Tuesday and ordered held on $250,000 bail.
An investigation is ongoing.
InfoWars has been documenting the surge of crime across the United States, including ‘street takeovers,’ smash-and-grab loot mobs, and physical attacks on innocent victims.
Original Article: https://www.newswars.com/shock-video-suspect-sets-fire-inside-target-to-distract-from-theft-of-baby-formula-police/