Outside of recent wildfire zones, the Los Angeles Police Department has taken three people into custody for arson.
Outside of the areas established by the Palisades and Eatonfires, three people were detained for arson in the last several days, according to Chief Jim McDonnell. He clarified that calls from locals made the arrests feasible.
Officers from the North Hollywood area were called about a probable arson suspect who was starting fires using a barbecue lighter on Sunday night. According to McDonnell, officers booked the person into the Van Nuys jail after arresting them on an outstanding felony warrant for arson.
The second individual was taken into custody at 5700 Van Nuys Blvd. on Monday afternoon. According to McDonnell, West Valley police were notified over radio that a potential arson suspect had set fire to a nearby thicket. Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department were putting out the fire when police arrived on the scene. The person was arrested by officers and taken to the Van Nuys jail.
According to McDonnell, another individual was taken into custody on Monday in the West Los Angeles region, close to San Vicente Boulevard. The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a call from officers reporting that a trash can had been set on fire. Officers were led to the person by onlookers, who was arrested without incident and charged with arson, he added.
According to McDonnell, footage from nearby businesses showed the individual igniting flames.
“We are requesting that everyone in our neighborhood analyze their own security footage in order to assist us in this endeavor. Even seemingly insignificant details can have a significant impact on our ongoing investigations, whether they come from ring cameras, home security systems, or other recording devices,” McDonell stated during a press briefing.
In regions impacted by the fires, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have stepped up patrols and staffing. While residents are still being evacuated, authorities have imposed a curfew and summoned National Guard personnel to stop robbery and looting.
39 people have been arrested by the sheriff’s department and 14 by the LAPD in or close to fire zones.Not every arrest was for a burglary or looting offense. Some others were arrested for possession of drugs, guns, and curfew violations. According to daily statistics provided by LA County Sheriff Robert Luna, the number of arrests has gone significantly since the weekend.
A week after multiple wildfires destroyed thousands of buildings and caused major damage, the Southern California region is preparing for more powerful Santa Ana winds overnight.
“For the upcoming 24-hour period LAPD will continue to deploy approximately 750 officers to the impacted areas with support from the Los Angeles Airport Police and the National Guard.”