AUSTIN, Texas — A 26-year-old man has been arrested on arson charges after allegedly setting fire to merchandise at an East Austin H-E-B so he could steal alcohol.
Eric Alejandro Berron was arrested following a Feb. 3 fire at the H-E-B at 2508 E. Riverside Drive, according to an affidavit.
The fire department responded to the structure fire at 9:41 p.m. Investigators were called to the scene after store loss prevention personnel reported surveillance video had captured the incident with a potential suspect.
According to the affidavit, video footage shows Berron walking down an aisle before extending his arm toward toilet paper on a rear shelf twice in quick succession. Moments later, smoke appeared, followed by visible flames.
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While H-E-B employees and security responded to the fire, video shows Berron in the beer and wine section selecting various alcohol items and placing them in a shopping cart, investigators said. He then exited through the produce side door and was seen in the parking lot loading the items into a vehicle.
The vehicle was identified through the store’s license plate reader system and registered to someone else living in Kyle, authorities said. When that registered owner’s photo did not match the suspect in the video, H-E-B loss prevention contacted the Kyle Police Department.
The detective recognized Berron from multiple prior encounters and confirmed his identity to investigators, the affidavit states.
Berron faces a second-degree felony charge of arson for allegedly using an open flame to intentionally ignite a fire in an occupied commercial building, causing damage and endangering lives and property.
Austin Fire investigators credited the Kyle Police Department, Hays County Sheriff’s Office and H-E-B’s management and loss prevention team with playing integral roles in identifying and apprehending the suspect.