Fires have engulfed large swathes of land in Los Angeles and the perpetrator has been arrested.
The Los Angeles Police Department has arrested a man suspected of trying to start a fire in the Woodland Hills area.
Around 4:30 p.m. on January 9, locals spotted a man on a bicycle wielding a blow torch as he attempted to ignite garbage cans and discarded Christmas trees.
Witness Renata Grinshpun told KTLA 5 that neighbors sprang into action after hearing someone shout: “Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!”
Residents Held The Suspect
A group of residents reportedly chased the suspect, restrained him with zip ties, and held him until police arrived.
Another witness described the man as determined: “He was very, like, ‘I can’t stop. I’m doing this.’”
Authorities are now investigating whether he’s linked to any of the fires devastating the city.
