This is the moment an arson suspect was arrested while stood next to a burning tree, as looters have targeted empty mansions in a string of crimes amid LA’s wildfires.
Jose Gerardo Escobar was arrested on suspicion of arson at Pioneer Park in Azusa, at around 11.30pm on Friday — just four miles from the edge of the deadly Eaton Fire.
He has since been charged with one count each of felony arson, arson during a state of emergency, and attempted arson.
Video footage shows the 39-year-old, stood in a green hoodie and black baseball cap, being escorted away by police as a tree burns on the ground of the public park.
Three people, including Escobar, have been arrested on suspicion of arson so far, while 68 people have been arrested for looting.
A man was arrested in Irwindale, California, on Sunday for arson — roughly 16 miles away from Altadena — where the deadly Eaton Fire continues to rage.
Firefighters were responding to a small brush fire in Irwindale when they witnessed Ruben Montes, 29, starting blazes in the area, police have confirmed.
He was detained by officers at the scene and ultimately arrested for arson.
Details surrounding the incident are limited and police have not revealed where Montes was booked.
Police have also not revealed if Montes was responsible for starting the brush fire or if any of the blazes that he allegedly lit have caused damage.
It is also unclear if he has any ties to the other fires ravaging LA.
Meanwhile, arson suspect Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva was arrested on Thursday after he residents allegedly saw him ‘attempting to start a fire’.
The suspect was caught on video walking with a yellow blowtorch before he was confronted by residents in Calabasas, west of Beverly Hills.
They held his arms behind his back and pushed him to the ground as they waited for police to arrive on the scene near the Kenneth Fire – which has since been contained.
One witness later recounted that the suspect was ‘very focused on moving forward with the blow torch’, telling FOX 11 the suspect said: ‘I can’t stop. I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this.’
Renata Grinshpun also recalled how the community ‘really banded together as a group’. She told KTLA: ‘A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizen’s arrest.’
Once an officer approached, the three men who intervened could be seen pointing out the suspect to the police officer, who proceeds to take the suspect into custody.
Police officers said at the time the suspect was taken to the Topanga police station after being restrained for ‘about 20 to 30 minutes.’
Sources also told DailyMail.com that a resident called 911 to report a male attempting to set a fire at the 21700 block of Ybarra road at around 4.30pm Thursday.
But officials later said they lacked the probable cause to arrest him on arson charges and instead arrested him on a probation violation.
Ten people have been charged in relation to crimes carried out during the wildfires.
Nine people are facing felony charges in connection to residential burglaries in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and a separate defendant has been charged with arson for intentionally starting a fire in the city of Azusa.
Video footage showed a group of looting suspects, wearing grey tracksuits and carrying backpacks, entering a home in the Pacific Palisades.
The Ring doorbell footage shows three members of the group walking upstairs while another heads to the right.
LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman today said: ‘These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability.’
‘Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.’
The catastrophic Los Angeles fires have killed 24 people so far and burned more than 40,000 acres.
Firefighters are currently working to contain four active blazes in the Los Angeles area and officials warn that Tuesday’s forecasted 70mph wind gusts could cause ‘explosive fire growth’.
Flames have forced some 150,000 people to evacuate and reduced neighborhoods to smoldering ruins, leveling the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary folk alike, and leaving an apocalyptic landscape.
‘Our ability to swiftly apprehend and charge these individuals is a testament to the incredible dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,’ DA Hochman said.
‘I want to thank every officer, investigator and prosecutor who are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities during this crisis.’
‘The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has been an indispensable partner in our efforts to protect residents, support first responders, and ensure justice for those affected by these tragic events.’