Melbourne Police Detectives Investigating Arson, Possible Robbery at Aldi Grocery Store Construction Site

POLICE: suspect fled the scene on foot and remains at large

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Melbourne police detectives are investigating a string of incidents, including suspected arson and a possible robbery, that occurred Sunday morning near a construction site on Eau Gallie Boulevard.

According to the Melbourne Police Department, officers responded around 10:30 a.m. on May 25 to the 900 block of E. Eau Gallie Blvd., where a fire was reported at a construction site for a future Aldi grocery store.

A construction worker reported seeing a fire inside the unoccupied building and called 911.

As emergency units arrived, a suspect fled the scene on foot and remains at large, according to Melbourne Police Sgt. Ben Slover.

Multiple fires had been set within the construction area, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage, and the Melbourne Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the flames.

Sgt. Slover said authorities are treating the case as arson and are working in conjunction with the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives as part of an active joint investigation.

Shortly after crews cleared the scene, officers were called to a nearby Texas Roadhouse at 941 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., where an employee reported being attacked while performing maintenance on a rooftop refrigeration unit.

That incident is being investigated as a robbery, and investigators have not confirmed whether the two incidents are connected.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Melbourne Police Detective Sudman at 321-608-6474. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimeline at Crimeline.org or by calling 800-423-TIPS (8477).

Similar Stories