Woman Charged In Arson At Downtown Minneapolis Store

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 38-year-old woman is accused of setting a fire at a downtown Minneapolis store that caused more than $500,000 in damage.

Lewonda Jones, of Brooklyn Center, was charged last week in Hennepin County with two counts of arson. Jones was found in Fargo, North Dakota, and is being held in the Cass County jail pending her return to Minnesota.

A clothing rack at the Marshalls store on Nicollet Mall was set ablaze on July 15. The fire closed the outlet for nearly four weeks.

Police say an employee discovered the fire and put it out. No one was hurt.

According to the charges, in-store video surveillance showed Jones taking a long grill lighter from a pocket to ignite the blaze.

The charges don't list a motive.