The homeless arsonist who was caught near a wildfire in Los Angeles has been identified as an undocumented immigrant.
Knewz.com can discloseA video of Mexican national Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva walking with a yellow blow torch before being beaten by irate residents in Calabasas, California, has led to his being labeled as a potential suspect in starting the destructive fires.
Sierra-Leyva was purportedly seen riding a bicycle in Woodland Hills on Thursday while toting a sizable “propane tank or a flamethrower.”
Since then, he has been charged with igniting a fire behind a car before nearby residents stepped in and put out the flames.
“I can’t stop,” the suspect shouted, according to one witness who spoke to FOX 11. I’m unable to stop. I’m not going to write this down. I’m taking action.
Local Renata Grinshpun, another resident of Los Angeles, stated that the neighborhood intervened as “a group” and went on to say: “A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees.”
“They got some zip ties and a rope, and we were able to do a citizens’arrest.”
The Kenneth Fire, which started late Thursday afternoon and caused Calabasas residents to evacuate in large numbers, is being investigated as an arson offense, according to the LAPD.
Charles Dinsel, a senior lead officer in the LAPD, stated: “A suspect was apprehended by locals in the Woodland Hills area around twenty to thirty minutes later. It is being looked into as a criminal offense.
“At this time, that’s what we believe,” the officer said when asked if he thought the most recent fire was lit on purpose. Indeed.
Additionally, according to sources, a person reported a man trying to set a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road to 911 at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
He was arrested for a probation violation, but authorities later said they lacked sufficient probable cause to charge him with arson.
Dominic Choi, divisional chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, said “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.”
The inquiry is “ongoing,” according to officials, and Sierra-Leyva is expected to appear in court again on Monday.
According to Bill Melugin, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement intends to request Sierra-Leyva’s detainer, but they do not anticipate that the request would be granted because of California’s sanctuary state law.
The plea comes as six simultaneous fires that have raged through Los Angeles over the past week have confirmed the deaths of 24 individuals.
Approximately 12,000 buildings, primarily residences, have been damaged or destroyed, and at least 16 persons have also been reported missing.
Khloe Kardashian shared a video on her Instagram Stories to denounce the suspected arson suspect, following the burning of many celebrities’ million-dollar houses.
The reality star wrote: “You f–kers, sick mother! People, what the f–k is wrong? Arson! I hope you face all charges! “What scum!”
Additionally, actor Henry Winkler wrote: “Here in Los Angeles, there is an arsonist. I hope you’re beaten till you’re unrecognizable! The suffering you’ve brought about!”
The fatal fires destroyed the houses of numerous famous people, including Milo Ventimiglia, Anna Farris, Adam Brody, Tina Knowles, Paris Hilton, and Spencer Pratt.
Other explanations for the flare-ups, in addition to arson, include a malfunctioning power grid and rekindled burn scars from New Year’s Eve fireworks.
According to reports on Monday morning, there might be “explosive fire growth” in Los Angeles, and high winds could pass through multiple areas, causing significant destruction in the days ahead.