In a bizarre turn of events, Sacramento Metro Fire Department responded to a shopping cart fire at Walmart, 6051 Florin Road, yesterday morning at 6:45 a.m.
The incident unfolded when a call came in reporting the fire, prompting an immediate dispatch to the scene.
Upon arrival, Metro Fire crews found a shopping cart ablaze just outside the main entrance. Quick action by Walmart employees had already extinguished the flames before the firefighters arrived. However, the situation took a more alarming turn when security personnel revealed they had detained a male suspect in connection with the incident, Metro Fire said.
The suspect, identified as Antonio West, had allegedly set the fire deliberately, according to investigators.
After igniting the shopping cart, Antonio proceeded to enter the store, presumably attempting to capitalize on the ensuing chaos and distraction to commit shoplifting, investigators said.
Authorities arrested Antonio West at the scene for a criminal charge related to arson. What makes this case even more concerning is the revelation that Antonio is currently on informal probation for another arson-related charge, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation, fire investigators said.