Police: Shoplifter set items on fire inside Center City Target as distraction to escape

Police: Shoplifter sets items on fire inside Center City Target as distraction to escape

Police are working to identify a man who they believe set items on fire inside a Center City Target in order to get away with stolen goods.

CENTER CITY - Philadelphia police are hoping to identify a suspect who they believe set items on fire inside a Center City Target as a distraction to escape with stolen goods.

Surveillance footage released by police Thursday shows the suspect enter the Target on 1020 South Broad Street around 7:30 p.m. Dec 22. The man is shown stuffing items in his shirt before setting a small fire on a store shelf.

Police are working to identify a man who they believe set items on fire inside a Center City Target in order to get away with stolen goods.

The suspect calmly walks away as flames began to rise over the top of the shelf. Police believe he used the fire as a way to distract employees and store security. 

Anyone with information on the suspect or this incident is asked to contact South Detective Division at 215-686-3243.

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