A group of Los Angeles residents confronted and arrested a man they believe may be the arsonist responsible for setting off one of the more forest fires in Southern California, the video shows.
Los Angeles police took a man into custody after a group of Good Samaritans grabbed him near the Kenneth Fire, allegedly carrying a torch, according to video from FOX 11 Los Angeles.
The video shows a man who appears to be holding a flashlight head and a yellow fuel tank. At least five residents surround him and throw him to the ground.
The police said it was too early to confirm that it was connected to any fires.
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A still image from home security video shows a Los Angeles man who appears to be holding a flashlight head and a fuel tank before residents caught him and called police as wildfires rage through Southern California. Police said he was taken into custody but could not confirm he was connected to any fires. (FOX 11 Los Angeles)
“Today at 4:32 p.m., a radio call was generated in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road for a possible arson suspect. A man was heard saying the suspect was ‘trying to start a fire,'” an LAPD spokesperson told Fox News. “The suspect is in custody and has been transported to the Topanga station. We are continuing our investigation and at this time we CANNOT confirm any connection to any fire for this suspect.”
PALISADA FIRE IN LA IGNITES FEAR OF ROBBERY AND PUSHES PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS TO THE EDGE
The arrest comes as a Los Angeles police source told Fox News Digital that it’s not uncommon to find people who deliberately set wildfires.
“When you have winds like this, it brings out the serial arsonists, who are sick,” the source said. However, as of Friday, there was no confirmed connection between the arson and any of the fires.
PALISADA FIRE: HEIDI MONTAG, SPENCER PRATT LOSE HOME; CELEBRITIES ESCAPE THE RITZY NEIGHBORHOOD
Flames from the Palisades Fire engulf a building on Sunset Boulevard amid a powerful storm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to more than 15,000 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, while another large fire continues to burn near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
The Palisades fire particularly affected Hollywood stars and their neighbors — prime targets for robbers who want to steal from homes after their owners have evacuated.
While the authorities poured water on some ignition theories spread by celebritiesauthorities have made at least 20 robbery arrests across the county as residents scramble to hire private security companies to protect their homes.
Herman Weisberg, director of private security and investigative firm SAGE Intelligence, told Fox News Digital Thursday that all of his staff in Los Angeles were being tapped and that he had trouble flying in backup from other parts of the country while hotels were full of displaced people. residents and rent-a-cars sold out throughout the region.
“We have already dedicated almost all the assets I have in California to various tasks, but we are trying to mobilize some more of the city’s residents, which has its own problems,” he said. “All of the ones we have are ex-cops, but not all of them are licensed in the state of California.”
POLICE SHUT DOWN CELEBRITIES FLOATING ARSON THEORIES
Fire crews respond to destroyed homes as a helicopter drops water as the Palisades Fire grows in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 7, 2025. (DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Craig Paul, who runs ASC Private Security, said he spent all day Thursday trying to get permission for more of his teams to enter restricted areas.
“We have a lot of clients in the burn area that we provide guard services for every day, 12 to 24,” he told Fox News Digital. “As if the residents weren’t already going through hell, now they find out about the robbery and are calling me in a panic to get back up there to protect what they have left.”
A house is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California, on January 8, 2025. (JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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He said that there are also new potential clients who are looking for help in Pacific Palisades community, but having problems getting authorization.
“I have staff ready and willing to work, but the officials won’t let us,” he said.
Fox News’ Matt Finn contributed to this report.
