By Mike Hazlip—
Customers shopping at Costco on Auburn Boulevard were evacuated Sunday afternoon, after police said a man set fire to several boxes inside the store when he was contacted by loss prevention.
Citrus Heights Police Lt. Chad Morris said the store’s loss prevention personnel notified police that two individuals had entered the store and were observed selecting “high-value merchandise.” Upon contact, one of the individuals reportedly set fire to several bleach boxes, prompting the evacuation.
Police said both individuals fled the scene and described the arson suspect as a white male adult about 40 years old with a tan shirt, jeans, and a camo hat. He was observed fleeing south and was unable to be located by officers.
The second individual left the area in a truck that was parked in the parking lot. No arrests have been made and both individuals remain at large.
A Metro Fire spokesperson said an individual used accelerants to set fire to the boxes. The store sustained minor damage and no injuries were involved, Metro Fire reported. Costco employees extinguished the fire, Morris said.
Witnesses saw a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department helicopter circling near the Costco store after the incident announcing a search for an arson suspect.
A Costco manager on duty Monday morning declined to comment and referred all questions to the company’s corporate office.
By Mike Hazlip—
Customers shopping at Costco on Auburn Boulevard were evacuated Sunday afternoon, after police said a man set fire to several boxes inside the store when he was contacted by loss prevention.
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