LAPD Suspects Arson: Citizens Tackle & Zip Tie A Man with Blowtorch Amid Fires
Source: Anadolu / Getty
LAPD carried out a citizen’s arrest Thursday afternoon (around 4:30pm), detaining a man with a blowtorch potentially connected to starting the Kenneth Fire in the Los Angeles community.
The arson suspect (presumed to be homeless) was allegedly seen riding a bicycle around the Woodland Hills neighborhood, carrying a large “propane tank or a flamethrower,” and setting fire to several old Christmas trees and garbage cans at the same time as the Kenneth Fire started. Community members tackled and zip-tied the suspect, holding him until officials arrived.
One local said that the man was “very focused on moving forward with the blow torch,” telling FOX 11 the suspect said: ‘I can’t stop. I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this.’
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The Kenneth Fire sparked just after 2:30 p.m. and has since exploded to 960 acres and continues to rip through Ventura County with 0% containment as of Friday morning, according to the New York Post. The man was arrested and taken to the department’s Topanga station.
“At this time, that’s what we believe. It’s being investigated as a crime,” LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse said.
LAPD confirmed that the Kenneth Fire is now being treated as a crime scene.
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