North Carolina

Walmart closes after suspected thief sets fire in men’s department, NC police say

Guilford County Sheriff's Office

A North Carolina shoplifting suspect was arrested Monday after he started a fire in a High Point store, reports said.

Daniel Kai Dailey, 26, was charged with arson and larceny after a foot chase with officers, according to a High Point Police Department press release.

Police said Dailey “intentionally” started the fire in the South Main Street store, WXII reported.

The Walmart location in a Facebook post Monday said it’s temporarily shutting its doors because of fire damage.

“The store could be closed for a while as crews clean up and throw out food due to significant smoke damage,” WFMY reported. “Fans are being used to get the smoke out of the store.”

Jennifer Herndon told the station she was at the store and saw flames close to five feet tall.

The High Point Fire Department responded Monday afternoon to a fire in the store’s men’s department, police said. Around the same time, officers were dispatched to a shoplifting in progress, according to the press release.

High Point police said “shoplifting suspects” fled from the store. The department didn’t immediately return The News & Observer’s request to comment on whether others were allegedly involved in the incident.

Dailey was also charged with resist, delay and obstruct, according to police. He is being held in the Guilford County Jail on a $25,000 bond, records show.

This story was originally published January 29, 2019 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Walmart closes after suspected thief sets fire in men’s department, NC police say."

Simone Jasper
The News & Observer
Simone Jasper is a service journalism reporter at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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