A man apprehended near the Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles will not face arson charges due to insufficient evidence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was detained on Thursday after witnesses reported observing him attempting to ignite a fire on Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills.
Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said during a press conference on Friday:
“They interviewed this suspect. After the interview and additional investigative steps, looking at some additional evidence that was present, they made the determination that there was not enough probable cause to arrest this person on arson or suspicion of arson, and therefore this person was arrested on a felony probation violation.
This investigation is ongoing, however, and I’d like to thank those community members that were involved in this and helping us bring this person our attention, and so we can have an ongoing investigation.”
WATCH:
BREAKING: LAPD says no probable cause for arson regarding suspect arrested with *blow torch* trying to IGNITE FIRES.
His name is still unknown. pic.twitter.com/2hh06kNlny
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 10, 2025
According to KTLA, the incident unfolded Thursday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. near Arcos Drive and Galendo Street. Witnesses observed the man allegedly trying to set Christmas trees and garbage on fire in the area, just as the Kenneth Fire broke out in the San Fernando Valley.
The Kenneth Fire, which ignited late Thursday afternoon, has rapidly spread to engulf 960 acres and now threatens homes in the West Hills and Calabasas areas.
The Gateway Pundit reported that the brave locals did not wait for police to arrive to take care of business. They tackled the man, who was holding what appeared to be a ‘flamethrower’ and held him to the ground until authorities arrived on the scene.
One neighbor, Renata Grinshpun, detailed what she saw to KTLA.
“We were sitting in the backyard and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt and the guy is running out saying, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!’” Renata Grinshpun said.
“We really banded together as a group,” she added. “A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. “They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens’ arrest.”
FOX LA obtained exclusive coverage early Friday morning showing the moment the neighbors sprung into action to stop this lunatic.
NEW: @FOXLA has exclusively obtained video of a man carrying a blow torch in Woodland Hills, CA Thursday not far from the Kenneth Fire. LAPD says the man is in custody but “can’t confirm any connection to any fire by this suspect”. #CaliforniaWildfires #KennethFire pic.twitter.com/ULwxtnfsdj
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 10, 2025
The post LAPD Claims ‘No Probable Cause’ for Arson as Suspect Caught with Blowtorch Attempting to Ignite Fires appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.