EUFAULA, Alabama (WRBL) — A Walmart in eastern Alabama temporarily closed its doors after someone attempted to set fire to an aisle, according to Eufaula police.
Eufaula Police Chief Danny Christ confirmed to WRBL that a class action lawsuit totaling over 500 counts is being filed against three suspects for allegedly setting a fire at the local Walmart.
On Saturday, about 170 people preparing for their week and shopping at Walmart in Eufaula were abruptly evacuated after a fire broke out.
According to investigators, there are currently three suspects.
“These are very serious charges,” said Eufaula Mayor Jack Tibbs. “And whether these suspects are minors or adults, they are accused of 170 counts of aggravated assault and arson.”
No one was injured in the fire. The investigation is still in its early stages, but Mayor Jack Tibbs says the crimes committed in Eufaula will be solved.
“The bad thing is that you’re committing these crimes,” Tibbs said. “But the good thing is that we catch every single one of them within hours. Sometimes you can’t commit a crime these days without being caught somewhere. And we have cameras all over the city and there’s no place that has more cameras than Walmart.”
Mayor Tibbs further said that operations at the Walmart have been suspended as repairs are being made. He says this will impact the local economy as it is one of three grocery stores in the city.
“Eighty-five percent of our revenue is sales tax and we survive… You know, we basically fund the city with sales tax,” Tibbs said. “And they’re the largest sales tax collector in the city and also in the county.”
Mayor Tibbs says most of the community’s concerns stem from the pharmacy. He is urging residents to call that Walmart to have prescriptions transferred to another store or pharmacy in town.
They hope to have the pharmacy’s curbside ready for use by Wednesday and the store’s grocery section open by Friday.
The three unnamed suspects had not been arrested as of Monday evening. WRBL will keep you updated.
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