Police say firefighters responded to a fire at the store on Golden Hill Road at about 8:15 p.m.
The building’s fire sprinkler system helped minimize the growth of the fire and it was contained within about five minutes of firefighters’ arrival. No one was injured.
The store opened for business as usual on Monday.
Police believe the fire was set as a distraction. They say a man entered the store shortly after 8 p.m. and hid a rolling pipe threader under a canvas drop cloth. After the fire was set and alarms and sprinklers activated, the man pushed the pipe threader out of the store.
Police believe the man was working with at least three other men. Investigators are asking for he public’s help to identify the people believed to be involved and a truck that may also be associated with the theft.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Paso Robles Police Department at (805) 237-6464.
