A man has been charged with lobbing a Molotov cocktail into a Las Vegas Walmart that has endured six different suspicious fires at its business since mid-April.
Kenley Hammond, 35, was initially arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of terrorism and arson. Prosecutors charged Hammond with a trio of felonies: first- and third-degree arson and possession of an explosive device, but the terrorism charge was not pursued.
A police arrest report for Hammond shows Las Vegas firefighters and officers were called to the Walmart at 201 N. Nellis Blvd. at 4:01 p.m. May 25 for a fire at the garden center of the business. Police obtained video surveillance showing a man climbing out of a wash nearby, then lighting a lighter and lobbing what police suspect was a bottle containing a flammable liquid over the wall of the store. A fire ensued, causing more than $20,000 in damage.
“When speaking with Walmart employees, officers were informed that there have been multiple instances of fires being lit near the west wall of Walmart,” police wrote in the report.
Fires were reported lit near the same wall of the Walmart previously on April 24, April 27, May 3, May 15 and May 22, police said.
When reviewing the surveillance video, police noticed the suspect in the case was wearing distinctive clothing. Police said they canvassed a desert area near the store, located a homeless encampment under a bridge near Stewart Avenue, and also noticed several cans of gasoline in the area.
After police questioned people in the area, they came across Hammond. They noted he was wearing shoes and a shirt similar to the ones worn by the person who started the fire, prompting his arrest. Detectives with a police counter-terrorism unit attempted to interview Hammond. He said he had no ill will toward Walmart, then asked for a lawyer.
Hammond is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on a $20,000 bail.
Contact Glenn Puit at gpuit@reviewjournal.com.
