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East County Saturday, Jun. 6, 2009 13 years ago
Man charged with Wal-Mart arson
by: Observer Staff Staff
Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a Louisiana man for setting fire to an East County Wal-Mart Thursday.
According to sheriff's office reports, at about 4:10 p.m., June 4, deputies and firefighters from the Southern Manatee Fire District responded to a fire at the Wal-Mart at 2911 53rd Ave E. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that Phillip R. Wright, of Monroe, La., attempted to return items at the store. When he was unsuccessful, he proceeded to the men’s department and set three clothes racks on fire.  He then left the store in a tan pickup truck.
Other Wal-Mart stores in the area were notified to be on the lookout for this subject. At around 6:15 p.m., deputies responded to the Wal-Mart at 8320 Lockwood Ridge Road because  a man fitting the description of the subject entered the store.
Deputies arrested Wright and charged him with Arson with other charges possible. A subject who was in the truck with Wright is being questioned but has not been charged at this time.
No one was injured as a result of the fire, however there was substantial damage to the store.
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