Man accused of lighting toilet paper on fire inside east Lincoln grocery store
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man is accused of torching toilet paper inside an east Lincoln grocery store last week.
Benjamin Blum, 41, was charged Monday with arson, according to court records.
Around 4:50 p.m. on Jan. 2, security video at Russ’s Market near 66th and O streets shows Blum standing in aisle 11, which houses toilet paper.
Blum was seen “removing something from his pocket” and reaching behind a stack of toilet paper, an arrest affidavit says.
He went to try to buy a beer while a fire erupted “into a blaze” in the toilet paper aisle, the affidavit alleges.
Staff quickly put the fire out before it spread. Blum left the store after using the customer service phone to call his mom, according to the affidavit.
After an investigation, officers were able to identify Blum. He was arrested Friday at a home near 13th and F streets.
A Lancaster County judge set Blum’s bond at $50,000 on Monday. He must pay $5,000 to be released from jail.
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