Nassau County police are asking for the public's help after a fire tore through the Five Below store on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead, and investigators say it was no accident. The department has issued a "Wanted for Arson" alert and released surveillance stills in hopes someone can name the people caught on camera.
Police release photos and case details
According to the Nassau County Police Department, the fire broke out Monday night at the Five Below at 142 Fulton Ave. The public alert includes case number 226cr0001389ar-271-26 and CSU 113-26 and is stamped with a blunt headline: "WANTED FOR ARSON." The post urges anyone who recognizes the people in the surveillance images to contact authorities. The department did not state in the post whether anyone was injured or how extensive the property damage was.
How to submit tips
Police are asking anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous, and the organization notes it may offer up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Tipsters can also reach the NCPD Arson/Bomb Squad directly at 516-573-8850, as listed by the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office.
Where it happened and what's known
The blaze hit the Five Below outlet in the Hub shopping area on Fulton Avenue. Five Below lists the Hempstead location at 142 Fulton Ave. So far, investigators have not disclosed any possible motive, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the incident.
Why investigators are posting images
Arson investigators routinely lean on security footage and tips from the community, and this latest appeal fits a familiar pattern in Nassau County. As reported by News 12, a recent attempted arson case at a West Hempstead gym also prompted a public alert and a Crime Stoppers reward. Those recurring notices highlight how much police depend on community-sourced leads to move fast in arson investigations.
Anyone with surveillance video, photos or information tied to the Hempstead Five Below fire is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or the NCPD Arson/Bomb Squad at 516-573-8850. The case remains under active investigation by the Nassau County Police Department.
