PREMIERE ON FOX VIDEO: Police and residents of Azusa, California, a small town in Los Angeles County, rallied Friday to stop a suspected arsonist in his tracks as at least three large wildfires threaten the region and more winds are expected.
As police were deployed to monitor the wildfire emergency, Azusa Police Captain Robert Landeros said the first officer arrived at the scene in Pioneer Park around 11:30 pm after neighbors confronted 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 stopped him from lighting a fire in the park.”
Video shows an Azusa police officer handcuffing a man who had just walked away from the fire, which authorities say firefighters quickly extinguished.
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Azusa police arrested a 39-year-old homeless man, Jose Carranza-Escobar, just steps away from a brush fire they said he admitted to starting while Los Angeles battled several large fires. (Sourced by Fox News Digital)
Police identified the suspect as Jose Carranza-Escobar, 39, a “transient” whose last known address was in Azusa. They said he admitted that he was the one who started the brush fire.
The arrests come as firefighters continue to battle at least three wildfires raging in Los Angeles County that have killed at least 24 and damaged thousands of homes and businesses.
Carranza was arrested on charges of arson. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman was expected to hold a news conference with more information about Carranza and the arrests related to the fire-related robbery later Monday.
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Azusa police have arrested Jose Carranza-Escobar, a 39-year-old suspect who set homeless people on fire, in connection with several brush fires they say he admitted to setting while Los Angeles was battling multiple wildfires. (Sourced by Fox News Digital)
Landeros said Azusa police and partner agencies, including Hochman's office, the county sheriff's office, arson investigators from neighboring departments and the California National Guard are taking a “zero tolerance” approach to the heat as strong winds and dry weather fuel the wildfire. Southern California.
“Everybody's there,” she said. “We are watching. Even our citizens are watching.”
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Azusa police have arrested 39-year-old suspect Jose Carranza-Escobar, who destroyed a house just steps from a brush fire they said he admitted to starting while Los Angeles was battling several major fires. (Sourced by Fox News Digital)
The suburbs are a high-risk area and have homeless camps, where fires have broken out in the past, he said.
“We are always doing law enforcement activities in that area,” he said. “It is clear that the residents are on edge when large fires break out.”
It is expected that strong winds will return to the region this week, which may exacerbate the existing fire as workers continue to put it out. Both can fan flames and knock down trees and combustible branches.
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“Azusa PD urges everyone to remain vigilant as fires continue to affect the region,” Landeros said in a statement over the weekend. “We must be aware of people who may enter our community with the intention of putting out fires.”
Last week, a group of Los Angeles residents stopped a homeless man who was seen carrying a flashlight. He was arrested, but police said they did not have enough evidence to charge him with arson.
A video of the incident shows him holding a flashlight and a yellow fuel tank before at least five residents tackle him and throw him to the ground.
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