BARSTOW — Barstow police arrested a 12-year-old boy they believe started a fire in the arts and crafts section at Wal-Mart on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze caused an estimated $1 million-plus in damage to the store, authorities said.
The Barstow Police Department dispatch center received a call regarding a fire inside the business and preliminary investigation indicated that it had intentionally set. A detective from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Arson and Bomb Unit responded and determined that the fire's cause was arson.
“Detectives processed the scene, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed the Wal-Mart surveillance footage,” Capt. Andy Espinoza Jr. said. “Detectives were able to identify the possible arson suspect on the surveillance video. The suspect appeared to be a young Hispanic male juvenile, wearing a green T-shirt with distinctive markings and black pants. The juvenile suspect was captured on video leaving Wal-Mart riding a push scooter and wearing a backpack.”
Detectives searched the area and located a boy on a scooter near Rimrock Road and Opal Street. He was wearing the same clothes as seen on the surveillance footage, police said. Espinoza said detectives obtained additional evidence linking the boy to the arson.
The boy was arrested on suspicion of arson, his parents were notified and he was transported to the High Desert Juvenile Detention Center in Apple Valley.
Paramedics treated several people for smoke inhalation, according to police. The Barstow Fire Protection District extinguished the fire, which began at 1:59 p.m.
Espinoza said several employees immediately tried to put out the fire with extinguishers but were unsuccessful and the store was immediately evacuated.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Det. Keith Libby at 760-255-5134.