Police investigate 2 arsons at Huber Heights business

HUBER HEIGHTS — A locally owned business along with police in Huber Heights are asking for assistance identifying a person who attempted to set the business on fire.

The owner of Food Bazaar, located along Old Troy Pike, said this is the second time in two months that someone has tried to burn down his business.

Surveillance video from Wednesday, Oct. 14 shows the alleged crime. The owner, who did not want to be identified due to his safety, said he wants to know who and why someone would try to burn down his business.

“He had a gallon of, I don’t know if it was gasoline or something, and he just started spraying all around the display that was wrapped and he started the fire,” the owner told News Center 7′s Katy Andersen via phone.

“Most of my family members - we lose our sleep, worrying that something else is going to happen the next day, or next morning, or night,” the owner explained.

This is not the first crime to happen at his business. The owner said it started in August 2020 when someone drove a car into the Food Bazaar building, destroying the front door.

“He didn’t go inside or try to grab anything,” the owner said. “The intention was to break the doors.”

Then about a week later, someone lit an outdoor display on fire. Fast forward two months to this week, and he claims another fire was intentionally set.

“He started pulling some items from the bag and started throwing them on the roof,” the owner said.

The owner claims Wednesday morning’s fire caused more than $6,500 in damages.

Huber Heights Police confirm both fires have been ruled as arson.  They’re now working to determine if all three crimes are connected.

News Center 7′s Katy Andersen asked investigators if the owner is being targeted. “Right now, we don’t have any indication that it is - our detectives are continuing their investigation,” said Sergeant David Garlow of Huber Heights Police. “We are certainly looking into that, but right now we have not seen any evidence that it is.”

Despite the damage, the owner said he refuses to close his doors.

“They’re trying to stop [the business] from growing and I wasn’t going to show them the other way – it will grow, and you will see that,” the owner said.

If you have any information on these crimes, you’re asked to call Huber Heights Police at (937) 233-2080.

Cox Media Group