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From the New York Post: A homeless man was tackled by brave onlookers who say they saw him using a “flamethrower” to start blazes close to where one of the latest wildfires ravaging Los Angeles broke out.
The unidentified suspect was seen riding around Woodland Hills on a bicycle on Thursday afternoon setting fire to several old Christmas trees and garbage cans at the same time as the Kenneth Fire started, locals said.
Renata Grinshpun told KTLA she was in her backyard when she heard a car screech to a stop and a man yelling, “Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!’”
She saw the suspect holding a large “propane tank or a flamethrower” — which others described as a blowtorch — as he tried to torch debris in the street.
The local residents all jumped into action and apprehended the man themselves, holding him until police arrived.
Grinshpun explained, “We really banded together as a group. A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens’ arrest and detain him until the police arrived.”
She said the man, who appeared to be in his 20s, had a propane tank or flamethrower, and claimed he had it to smoke marijuana because he couldn’t afford a lighter. “He spoke a lot of Spanish, and seemed in an ‘altered state,'” Grinshpun said.
Below are videos of the initial takedown:
NEW: @FOXLA has exclusively obtained video of a man carrying a blow torch in Woodland Hills, CA Thursday not far from the Kenneth Fire. LAPD says the man is in custody but “can’t confirm any connection to any fire by this suspect”. #CaliforniaWildfires #KennethFire pic.twitter.com/ULwxtnfsdj
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 10, 2025
Wow this is when civilians noticed the guy accused of setting Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles Woodland Hills area pic.twitter.com/vBcnlAnavB
— Sarah Sansoni (@sarahsansoni) January 10, 2025
In an update Friday morning, Los Angeles Police said, “The suspect was interviewed and the investigation determined there was not enough probable cause to arrest for arson or possible arson. He was arrested on a felony probation violation.”
UPDATE: According to Los Angeles Police, “The suspect was interviewed and the investigation determined there was not enough probable cause to arrest for arson or possible arson. He was arrested on a felony probation violation.”
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 10, 2025
JUST IN: LAPD says there is no probable cause to charge the man walking around with a large blowtorch in LA with arson.
He must have just been trying to light a cigarette with a massive blowtorch!
The man was detained by local residents after they accused him of trying to… pic.twitter.com/MR9C8UdGlF
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 10, 2025
Below is a photo of the man, as he was arrested by police.
BREAKING: @KFIAM640 @DebraMark1 says this man was arrested for apparently starting fires in Woodland Hills area. We are awaiting confirmation. Note the possible torch on hood of car. LISTEN LIVE we are talking w her now. pic.twitter.com/Nsahmq2ZZJ
— Tim Conway Jr Show (@ConwayShow) January 10, 2025
More footage of the man arrested in the Woodland Hills area, suspected of arson.
The man, was found holding a blowtorch, and is suspected of starting the Kenneth Fire which has consumed 1,000 acres, and left thousands fleeing their homes.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 10, 2025
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