The homeless arsonist who was apprehended close to a wildfire in Los Angeles was revealed to be an undocumented immigrant.
According to RadarOnline.com, a video of Mexican national Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva walking with a yellow blowtorch before being beaten by irate residents in Calabasas, California, has led to his being listed 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 not stop,” the suspect said, according to one witness who spoke to FOX 11. “I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this.”
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.
“At this time, that is 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 sick mother f–kers!’ What the f–k is wrong with people?!?! Arson!!!! May you be fully prosecuted!!! What scum!!!”
Additionally, actor Henry Winkler wrote: “THERE IS an ARSONIST here in LA. May you be beaten you unrecognizable!!! The pain you have caused!!!”
The fatal fires destroyed the residences of numerous celebrities, including Milo Ventimiglia, Anna Farris, Adam Brody, Tina Knowles, Paris Hilton, and Spencer Pratt.
Charles Dinsel, a senior lead officer in the LAPD, stated: “About 20 to 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in Woodland Hills area by citizens. It is being investigated as a crime.”
Other explanations about the flare-ups include a malfunctioning electrical grid and rekindled scorch marks left behind from New Year’s Eve fireworks, in addition to arson.
RadarOnline.com said Monday morning that there could be “explosive fire growth” in Los Angeles due to the possibility of heavy winds passing through multiple areas, which could result in additional destruction in the days ahead.
