Highland Meijer Fire Possible Distraction For Shoplifters
On Monday January 10th at approximately 9:10 PM, Highland Police and Highland Fire Departments were dispatched to Meijer (10138 Indianapolis Blvd.) for a report of a fire, according to Commander John Banasiak.
On arrival officers were met by Meijer employees who advised they were already having their customers and staff evacuate the building. Employees advised that there had been three small fires that appeared to have been deliberately set in three separate locations inside the store and that all three fires were already extinguished prior to the arrival of police and fire. The scene was secured and was then turned over to Highland Detectives and the fire department investigators.
Upon the initial investigation, it appears that the three fires were set as a distraction in order for a few suspects to then shoplift items from the store when all the focus of employees was on the three fires. Nobody was injured in this incident and the damages were minimal. This incident appears to be similar to a recent incident that took place at the Lansing, Illinois Walmart store. Highland detectives are following up with Lansing Police to further compare this incident to theirs.
This matter is still under investigation by the Highland Police Department, the Highland Fire Department and the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office.
Should you have any information on this incident, you are asked to contact Detective Darren Conley at the Highland Police Department by calling 219-838-3184.
