Man accused of setting fire at local Walmart, one person injured
MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) — The Fox 8 I-Team has uncovered a video and a bizarre crime spree, which included an arson fire inside a busy store in Medina County.
Medina Township police department body camera video and pictures show the damage the fire caused at the Walmart Monday morning.
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Detective Mike Oyler tells us the suspect, Jeremiah Banto, of Rhode Island, is accused of starting a fire inside the store and then taking office.
Police said Banto took off in a vehicle that he got from a local dealership a short time before he was accused of setting the fire. According to police, Banto had asked to take the car for a test drive and then drove straight to the Walmart.
"It's that first time that I know of that we had an arson fire at Walmart," Oyler said. "This happened around 11:30 in the morning and then around 3 in the afternoon, we got a call from police in New York. The car he was driving had run out of gas. One of the troopers ran up and ran the plate and found out the vehicle was stolen. When they confronted him they got in an altercation and he actually tried to steal the trooper's patrol car."
Banto is now facing an aggravated arson charge in Medina and additional charges in New York.
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Police tell us right now they have no motive for the crime and have no idea why Banto was even in Medina County . They are hoping to learn more soon.
Medina Township Police Chief John Minek says he is extremely thankful for all the employees at Walmart who were able to get everyone out of the store safely. He added that two citizens, a local assistant fire chief, and a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, risked their own safety to try and put the fire out.
"The employees and the two citizens did an excellent job," Minek said. "The staff sergeant actually sustained a burn to his head trying to carry the stuff out of the store. The store was just filled with smoke inside. The smoke caused a lot of damage."
