Boy on scooter does $1 million in damage in Wal-Mart arson
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Police say a 12-year-old boy riding a push scooter set fire to the arts-and-crafts section of a Wal-Mart store in the Southern California desert, leading to losses of more than $1 million.
The store in Barstow remains closed for a third day Friday because of the damages.
Barstow police said in a statement that the boy, who was not with his parents, set the fire with a lighter on Wednesday afternoon. Wal-Mart employees tried to put it out with fire extinguishers but failed, and some had to be treated for smoke inhalation.
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Firefighters arrived and extinguished it, but serious damage was done by both fire and water.
Police looked at surveillance video and saw the boy with a scooter and a backpack.
He was found on a street corner later in the day. He was arrested and taken to juvenile hall.