Seattle Crime Report

Seattle Man Arrested Following Disturbance and Fire at Local Grocery Store

Seattle Man Arrested Following Disturbance and Fire at Local Grocery Store

A Seattle man was taken into custody following a disturbance and small fire at a Safeway located on East Madison Street early Tuesday morning. The incident involved 46-year-old Cornell Augustus Benson Jr., who was allegedly found eating merchandise and causing a disturbance at the supermarket.

According to the Seattle Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Safeway at around 5:53 a.m. after receiving reports of a male suspect refusing to leave the premises and consuming merchandise without paying. The situation escalated when Benson allegedly set a small fire in the candy aisle, prompting store staff to contact emergency services.

Upon arrival, officers observed Benson behaving erratically and attempting to exit the store in an agitated state. He was apprehended and placed in handcuffs after being identified by store employees as the person responsible for the earlier disturbance and fire.

Surveillance footage reviewed by the officers confirmed that Benson intentionally set the fire in the candy aisle, which was subsequently extinguished by a patron before causing significant damage. The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene as a precaution to ensure the fire was completely out.

Benson, who did not cooperate with officers' inquiries about the incident, was charged with Reckless Burning, Property Destruction, Theft, and Criminal Trespass. Officers noted that he appeared to be in crisis and possibly under the influence of drugs at the time of the arrest. A glass pipe, commonly used for drug consumption, was found in his possession.

The case was reviewed by Sgt. Matthew Merritt, who instructed the filing of charges against Benson. He was subsequently transported to the King County Jail, where he expressed surprise about the charges but acknowledged the fire incident, commenting, 'Okay, that's fair.'