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    Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Sturbridge Wal-Mart employee denies setting fires at store

    DUDLEY, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts Wal-Mart employee charged with setting three fires in the Sturbridge store has pleaded not guilty.

    Twenty-year-old Maiya Cruz was arraigned Thursday in Dudley District Court on charges including of destruction of property and burning a building's contents.

    Firefighters responded to the Wal-Mart around 5:25 p.m. Tuesday after someone reported a fire in the jewelry section. Three fires were discovered at the scene.

    No injuries were reported, however the store's food needed to be thrown out because it was exposed to smoke and chemicals from fire extinguishers.

    Investigators identified the Southbridge woman as a suspect after reviewing surveillance video.

    Cruz was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

    Members of Cruz's family say she has mental health issues and her lawyer said she had been hearing voices.

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