A 26-year-old man has been arrested and faces arson charges following a fire at an H-E-B store in East Austin, Texas. Authorities allege Eric Alejandro Berron intentionally set fire to merchandise at the store located at 2508 E. Riverside Drive on February 3.
Details of the Incident
The Austin Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 9:41 p.m. Investigators were alerted to a potential suspect after store loss prevention personnel provided surveillance video of the incident. The video reportedly shows Berron igniting toilet paper in an aisle before flames appeared.
Even as H-E-B employees and security responded to the fire, the video similarly shows Berron selecting alcohol items and placing them in a shopping cart. He then left the store through the produce side door and loaded the items into a vehicle.
Investigators identified the vehicle using the store’s license plate reader system. The vehicle was registered to a resident of Kyle, Texas. When the registered owner’s photo did not match the suspect in the video, H-E-B loss prevention contacted the Kyle Police Department.
Investigation and Arrest
A detective with the Kyle Police Department recognized Berron from prior encounters and confirmed his identity to investigators. Berron now faces a second-degree felony charge of arson.
Austin Fire investigators credited the Kyle Police Department, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, and H-E-B’s management and loss prevention team with their assistance in identifying and apprehending the suspect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charge does Eric Alejandro Berron face?
Eric Alejandro 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.
When did the fire occur?
The fire occurred on February 3, and the Austin Fire Department responded at 9:41 p.m.
How was the suspect identified?
The suspect was identified through surveillance video provided by H-E-B loss prevention, a license plate reader system, and recognition by a detective with the Kyle Police Department.
As Berron’s case proceeds, it remains to be seen what legal strategies will be employed and what the ultimate outcome will be.
