Two men have been charged with felony arson in Los Angeles In unrelated cases as authorities battle arson, thieves and multiple raging fires in Southern California.
The incidents occurred in different parts of Los Angeles County over the weekend, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Jaime Mota, 37, is being held on $350,000 bail on charges of setting fire to a pile of wooden pallets behind a shipping yard in Industry City on Saturday afternoon. The fire spread to a tractor trailer and some surrounding bushes, according to authorities. He could be sentenced to seven years in prison if convicted.
Firefighters work at the scene as an apartment building burns during the Eaton Fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
In Irwindale, 27-year-old Ruben Michael Montes is being held on $400,000 bail for allegedly starting a fire under the Interstate 605 bridge at Riverroad Road. He was already on probation at the time of the incident and faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
“We owe it to the victims of these fires, as well as the brave first responders who risk their lives, to ensure justice is served,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “Let this be a message to anyone considering similar actions – you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Firefighters battle flames from the Palisades Fire that burned down the Palisades Theater during a strong wind storm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. (Abu Gomez/Getty Images)
He noted that his administration recently brought charges against 10 others Looting or burning He said he would continue to crack down on crime.
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“Los Angeles County residents are experiencing unprecedented hardship as wildfires sweep through our communities, displacing families, destroying homes, and tragically claiming lives,” Hochman said.
“While first responders and residents work tirelessly to save lives and property, we will not tolerate individuals who take advantage of this tragedy by committing heinous acts of arson or looting. My office continues to apply relentless pressure on those who threaten the safety and security of our county.”
A helicopter crashes as smoke rises from the Palisades Fire in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, US, January 11, 2025. (Reuters/Daniel Dreyfus)
On Tuesday, Hochman and Attorney General Todd Spitzer, of neighboring Orange County, teamed up to ask Gov. Gavin Newsom to make looting a felony.
The arson attacks have drawn the attention of law enforcement and ordinary citizens alike.
Nathan Hochman at the Los Angeles County District Attorney Candidates Forum at Pacific Palms Resort before his election win in November. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Last week, the “Chicago Fire” actor. Brian J. White He took the fight to the real world when he and a group of neighbors made a citizen's arrest on an illegal immigrant who was walking through their neighborhood carrying a blowtorch.
On Monday, Hochman's office announced charges against a homeless man in Azusa after neighbors saw him start a fire in a park near their homes. They confronted him verbally until a nearby Azusa police officer arrived and handcuffed him at the scene.
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)
“Azusa Police urge everyone to remain alert as fires continue to impact the county,” Azusa Police Capt. Rob 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.”
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Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a building on Sunset Boulevard amid a strong wind storm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. (Abu Gomez/Getty Images)
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, according to authorities.
In another unrelated arson, Jim McDonnell told the local ABC affiliate that one of the suspected arsonists told police he “liked the smell of burning leaves.”
numerous Los Angeles wildfires It killed at least 24 people over the past week, and the number is expected to rise.
