Published: November 4th, 2026.
WEST SAINT PAUL, MN - A 25-year-old man has been charged with felony second-degree arson after allegedly setting fire to a clothing display inside the Walmart store on Robert Street in West Saint Paul, causing more than $2,000 in damage.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, John Ellie Bayson Mindanao is accused of intentionally starting the fire on September 28, 2026, while customers and employees were inside the store.
The complaint states that Walmart loss prevention employees approached officers at the police desk inside the store to report a fire in the clothing department. When officers responded, they observed a large cloud of smoke and significant haze in the area.
Investigators learned that a large cardboard clothing display containing pajama sets had been set on fire. Store employees were able to extinguish the flames using fire extinguishers before the fire spread further.
According to the complaint, officers reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly showed Mindanao selecting a package of lighters near the front of the store and opening it. He then walked to the clothing department, crouched behind the cardboard display and used a lighter to ignite it.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed smoke coming from the bottom of the display as Mindanao walked away and exited the store.
Officers located Mindanao outside the store and detained him. According to the complaint, Mindanao later admitted to starting the fire and told officers that the lighter he used could be found underneath the display. Investigators subsequently recovered a lighter from that location.
Authorities reported that numerous customers and employees were inside Walmart when the fire was started. No injuries were reported.
Walmart loss prevention staff estimated the initial property damage at $2,072. The complaint states that store officials would notify law enforcement if additional damage was discovered to nearby merchandise from smoke or chemicals used to extinguish the fire.
Mindanao has been charged with one count of second-degree arson under Minnesota Statute 609.562, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
The charge is an allegation, and Mindanao is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.