Setting Off A Firecracker Inside A Walmart Is Not A Good Way To Distract From Video Game Theft

There’s typically no shortage of interesting happenings at Walmart stores across the country. Just last week a teenager allegedly set fire to a display of christmas-themed stuffed animals, and this week a man allegedly set-off a firecracker in the video game aisle.

WPTV-TV reports that a man was arrested Saturday after an explosion and fire occurred inside a Florida Walmart store.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies were called to the store after security heard an explosion.

Security footage from Walmart showed a man lighting a firecracker, placing it on the bottom shelf of the display and walking away before it exploded.

A suspect arrested by deputies says he was approached by an unknown person who offered to steal a video game for him if he created a distraction inside the store.

The unknown individual allegedly told the man that there was a firecracker on the bottom shelf next to the store’s XBox games.

Local authorities say the blast caused burn marks on the floor and shelving, as well as destroyed $29 worth of video games.

The man was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and criminal mischief.

Thomas Hartman charged with setting off firecracker inside Walmart [WPTV-TV]