Two people who acknowledged starting fires outside of wildfire zones were taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday.
Two people were detained for arson in relation to flames outside of the affected areas caused by the Eaton and Palisades fires, Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a radio call at around 5:15 p.m. near the intersection of Glenoaks and Van Nuys Boulevards. According to McDonnell, a civilian had already apprehended the potential arson suspect and put out the neighboring tree fire before the police arrived. The individual was arrested and charged with arson.
“During the investigation, the suspect admitted to starting the fire because he liked the smell of burning leaves,” McDonnell stated.
The fire department responded to reports of someone putting several trash piles on fire in the vicinity of Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Avenue at approximately 9:30 p.m. that evening. Officers arrested the person and charged her with arson after firefighters promptly extinguished the fire.
“The suspect admitted to setting multiple fires that day and stated that she enjoyed causing chaos and destruction,” McDonnell stated.
Since the wildfires began, security patrols have been stepped up by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. While homes are still being evacuated, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna asked the National Guard for help in preventing looting and other crimes.
According to McDonnell, 14 persons have been taken into custody in or close to the fire zones. 39 persons have been taken into custody by the sheriff’s office.Authorities have made it clear that not all of the arrests are connected to crimes involving burglaries or looting.