The Los Angeles Police Department has apprehended a serial arsonist who allegedly set eight fires in the Sherman Oaks area in a single day.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a number of vehicle, structural, and trash fires in the vicinity of Ventura Boulevard and Moorpark Street on October 20 at approximately 10:30 p.m.
A man in his 40s from Van Nuys was found to be the culprit behind the fires after an inquiry.
On December 18, Van Nuys police officers arrested 42-year-old Ricardo Villanueva for an unrelated traffic infraction. The officers recognized Villanueva from a wanted poster issued by Major Crimes Division Detectives.
Arson of a structure and arson of personal property led to Villanueva’s arrest.
A black Infinite sedan, a blue Hyundai sedan, a black Audi sedan, a green Jeep Cherokee, and a tan Chevy pickup were all involved in the October fires on Moorpark Street. Then, according to a map that the LAPD released, the perpetrator is thought to have caused two dumpster fires and a mattress/structure fire on Ventura Boulevard.
Additionally, the suspect is accused of starting a trash fire on Ventura Boulevard on October 19 and of starting a trash can fire on Hartsook Street on an undisclosed date, both of which were captured on security footage.
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