July 5, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-43) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org SUSPECTED SHOPLIFTERS START FIRE Mobile Fire Investigators believe two would be shoplifters may be responsible for a small fire at the Family Dollar Store, located at 2312 Saint Stephens Road on Thursday, July 5, 2001. An employee discovered a small fire on the clothing rack in the store and alerted others in the store, removed some burning clothes off the rack and "stomped" the small fire out. Mobile Fire-Rescue Department was called to respond at approximately 12:23 p.m. A Store Manager on the scene told Mobile Fire Investigators they believed two females in the store who may have been attempting to shoplift, may have started the fire in the clothing rack. Evidence was recovered near the rack by fire investigators as well as suspect information. It was not determined if anything was missing from the store at the time of the initial investigation. Damage was estimated at $100.00. No injuries were reported. No other information is available at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department at 208-7484 or Crimestoppers at 208-7000. ###