3 Charged In $250,000 Walmart Arson

ORANGE PARK, Fla. - State fire investigators working with the Clay County Sheriff's Office arrested three men accused of setting a fire inside the Orange Park Walmart store last week.

Ryan Vallish and Joseph Fernandez, both 19, and George Greene, 20, were charged with first-degree arson of an occupied dwelling and booked them into the Clay County Jail on Wednesday night.

According to the State Fire Marshal's Office, a tip to the arson tip line by someone who saw the security video of the suspects released to the media led to the arrest of Vallish.

Investigators said another tip led them to Fernandez, who officials said admitted to the arson. Officials said Greene was identified as the third suspect and was arrested.

The fire was set about 11 p.m. on Oct. 27 while the store was open for business and was occupied by customers and employees. The store at 889 Blanding Blvd. was evacuated and the fire was extinguished without any injuries, but smoke and water damage was estimated at $250,000.

If convicted, Vallish, Fernandez, and Greene could each spend up to 25 years in jail.

A woman seen on the surveillance tape entering and leaving the store with the thee suspects was not charged.

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