Man says he set towels on fire at Walmart to cause distraction after woman stopped for shoplifting

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A Kent man charged with second-degree arson said he started a fire inside a Walmart to cause a distraction after his friend’s girlfriend was detained for shoplifting.

Court documents say 30-year-old Simon Karl Hoyt went into the store in Federal Way on Aug. 15 and started a fire in the towel aisle.

At the time of the fire, more than 150 employees and customers were in the store, which was evacuated. The fire caused $27,000 in property damage and an estimated $30,000 loss of sales, according to an asset protection employee at the store.

Police said Hoyt escaped after the fire was set, but was seen in video standing where the fire started shortly before the flames erupted. He was also seen on video leaving that area and exiting the store right after the towels caught fire.

Hoyt was arrested the next day when he entered the same Walmart. Police said he was in possession of five different types of lighters as well as lighter fluid.

When interviewed by a Federal Way police officer, Hoyt said his friend asked him to start the fire for $70 because his friend’s girlfriend was in the store detained for shoplifting. The hope was that the woman could get away during the chaos caused by the fire.

Court documents said Hoyt told the officer he knew setting the fire was wrong, but he needed the money.

©2021 Cox Media Group