Thieves started a fire at Paso Robles Lowe’s as a distraction to steal merchandise, police say
Paso Robles police are searching for at least four suspects who set a small fire inside a hardware store on Sunday as a distraction while they stole merchandise.
The suspects are thought to have started the fire about 8:16 p.m. at the Lowe’s Home Improvement Center at 2445 Golden Hill Road, according to a Paso Robles Police Department news release.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find a light amount of smoke coming from the entrance to the building. The fire was fully contained within five minutes, due in part to the store’s sprinkler system.
All customers were evacuated from the store, and no one sustained any injuries. Crews remained on scene for about three hours to remove smoke and water from the business, which opened again on Monday morning.
Police learned the fire was intentionally started and opened an arson investigation with the Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services.
Investigators discovered a male suspect entered the Lowe’s shortly after 8 p.m., set up a rolling pipe threader and covered it with a canvas drop cloth.
After the fire started, and the alarms and sprinklers were activated, the suspect rolled the pipe threader out of the store while another person watched.
Investigators have since learned the suspect stole the merchandise with the help of three other men. Police need the public’s help identifying the suspects and their possible vehicle.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-237-6464.
