Man accused of arson also nabbed in attempted burglary

By Riley Snyder

Monday, June 24, 2013 | 1:41 p.m.

The Las Vegas man accused of starting a June 16 apartment complex fire that caused $350,000 in damage is also being charged with attempting to rob a Walmart just a few days after the blaze, Metro Police said.

Stephen Tyson, 50, was charged with a count of burglary, two counts of attempted murder, one count of arson and two counts of violating parole. Tyson, who is a convicted felon for grand larceny, is being held in the Clark County Detention Center without bail.

Tyson was arrested after trying to shoplift about $350 worth of electronic goods shortly before midnight on June 18 at a Walmart near Nellis Boulevard and Stewart Avenue.

According to the arrest report, Walmart employees apprehended Tyson after he attempted to leave through an emergency exit with the electronics, including a DVD player and 32-inch television. An employee told officers that Tyson had previously stolen from the store.

On Saturday, Tyson also was charged with arson and two counts of attempted murder for the June 16 apartment complex fire, which displaced about 100 people and is considered the largest fire of the year.

According to the arrest report, Tyson was living with a couple in the apartment where the fire started but angered one of the residents by putting his feet on a prized sofa, according to the report. The day before the fire, Tyson and the man argued and physically fought before he promised to leave the apartment that morning, the report said.

The couple was forced to flee out the window of their apartment after they discovered a large fire in their living room. Witness statements and security camera footage showed Tyson leaving the apartment shortly before the fire, the report stated.