Arizona Walmart arson causes $6-10 million in damages; transient man arrested

MESA, Ariz. (KNXV) -- A man has been arrested after allegedly starting a fire inside a Walmart in the East Valley Thursday, causing at least $6 million in damage.

At around 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, Mesa police and fire officials responded to a fire call at the Walmart near Dobson Road and Rio Salado Parkway. After the fire was extinguished, investigators discovered the incident was caught on surveillance video.

Officers say a man identified as Marcus Manygoats was seen on video going into the Garden Center and gathering cushions and padding in a pile on the floor. He then was seen spraying lighter fluid on the items, setting them on fire, then running away with a blanket, jacket and other items from the store, police said.

Due to his appearance in the surveillance video, investigators believed he might be transient and began searching the surrounding area. Manygoats was located about 1,000 yards from the Walmart wearing the same clothing and in possession of the stolen items seen in the video.

Walmart officials say the smoke and water that went through the store caused between $6-10 million in damage including products, structure, and electrical systems.

Manygoats was arrested and is now facing arson, criminal damage and endangerment charges and was held on a $200,000 bond.