First on FOX VIDEO: Police and residents of Azusa, California, a small city in Los Angeles County, teamed up on Friday to stop at least one suspected arsonist in his tracks. Three large wildfires It threatens the area, and the winds are expected to intensify again.
With an increased number of officers on patrol amid the wildfire emergency, Capt. Robert Landeros of the Azusa Police Department said the first responding officer quickly arrived at the scene in Pioneer Park around 11:30 p.m. after neighbors encountered the homeless suspect, who was still There when the first officer arrived he arrived.
“This was intentional,” Landeros told Fox News Digital on Monday. “Some neighbors confronted him and prevented him from starting an additional fire in the garden.”
Video shows an Azusa officer handcuffing a man just steps away from a roaring fire, which authorities say county firefighters quickly extinguished.
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Azusa police have arrested 39-year-old homeless arson suspect Jose Carranza Escobar, just steps away from a small fire they say he admitted to starting as Los Angeles battles several large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Jose Carranza Escobar, a “transient” whose last known address was also in Azusa. They said he admitted to starting the brush fire.
The arrest comes as firefighters continue to battle at least three Active forest fires In Los Angeles County, which killed at least 24 people and damaged thousands of homes and businesses.
Carranza was imprisoned for arson. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is expected to hold a news conference with more information about Carranza and the looting-related arrests linked to the fire later Monday.
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Azusa police arrested Jose Carranza Escobar, a 39-year-old homeless man and arson suspect, just steps away from a small fire they say he admitted to starting as Los Angeles battles several large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Azusa police and partner agencies, including Hochman's office, the county sheriff's office, fire investigators in neighboring departments and the California National Guard, are taking a “zero tolerance” approach to arson, as high winds and a dry climate fuel wildfires burning throughout All over the country. Southern California.
“Everyone is there,” he said. “We are watching. Even our citizens are watching.”
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Azusa police arrested 39-year-old homeless arson suspect Jose Carranza Escobar steps from a small fire they say he admitted to setting as Los Angeles battles several large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
He added that the hills outside the city are considered a high-risk area for fires, and they also include homeless camps, where fires have broken out before.
“We are constantly running Enforcement operations “In that area,” he said, “it is clear that residents feel stressed when large fires break out.”
Strong winds are expected to return to the area this week, which could fan existing fires as crews continue to battle them. They can start fires and bring down trees and branches that can burn.
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“The Azusa District urges everyone to remain alert as fires continue to impact the province,” Landeros said in a statement over the weekend. “We must be wary of individuals who may enter our community with the intention of starting fires.”
Last week, another group of Los Angeles residents stopped a homeless man Holds a blowtorch. He was detained, but police said they did not have enough evidence to charge him with arson.
A video of this incident shows him carrying a torch tip and a yellow fuel tank before at least five residents surround him and throw him to the ground.
