The three suspects, whose names were not revealed, were booked into local jails, officials said.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell on Tuesday gave more details on the arrests of three arson suspects, in light of wildfires that have scorched thousands of acres in Los Angeles in recent days.
“On Sunday night, our North Hollywood officers responded to a call of a possible arson suspect who was using a barbecue lighter to light fires. Officers arrived on the scene, and the suspect was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant for arson and booked into Van Nuys jail,” McDonnell told a news conference.
A day later, police made two more “arrests related to the fires,” including an arrest on Van Nuys Boulevard after a suspected arsonist lit a fire in nearby brush, he added. That fire was extinguished by Los Angeles Fire Department officials, McDonnell said, adding that the individual was arrested on arson charges and is currently in jail.
Also on Monday, officials responded to a radio call of a suspected arsonist on San Vicente Boulevard in the West Los Angeles area, he said. That person had set alight a nearby trash can, which was extinguished by fire officials, he added.
“Citizens directed the officers to the suspect location, where he was then taken into custody without incident,“ the police chief said. ”Video from local businesses showed footage of the suspect starting fires in that area. He was booked into our jail for arson.”
No details on the suspects’ names, countries of origin, or other details were provided.
The three arson arrests, which took place outside the fire area, were in addition to 14 arrests by the LAPD in the Palisades Fire area, McDonnell said. Those arrests included curfew violations, impersonating a police officer and a firefighter, ammunition, burglary, and other offenses.
Meanwhile, in sheriff-patrolled fire areas, there have been 39 arrests for looting, illegal operation of drones that could interfere with firefighting aircraft, curfew violations, and other alleged crimes, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
On Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told a news conference that charges had been filed against nine suspected looters and a suspected arsonist.
