Fox LA Captures Dramatic Video of Citizens Arrest of Man Carrying Blow Torch Near Wildfires
Fox LA obtained exclusive footage of the dramatic citizen’s arrest that unfolded Thursday afternoon in Woodland Hills, California, as locals detained a man they say was trying to spark a new blaze in an already wildfire-ravaged area.
The incident occurred near the Kenneth Fire, which ignited north of the Palisades fire and is currently threatening nearby neighborhoods.
The suspect, described as a man in his mid-20s, was allegedly armed with a blow torch and propane tank. According to witness accounts, the individual attempted to light something on fire behind a van before neighbors took action to stop him.
Law enforcement soon arrived, but only after citizens secured the man with rope and zip ties.
“What we know right now is the incident occurred; started here,” explained Sean Dinse, Senior Lead Officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division, in an interview with KTLA 5. “And about 20 minutes 30 minutes later, a suspect was detained over the Woodland Hills area by citizens.”
The suspect reportedly claimed he was using the device “to smoke marijuana” because he “couldn’t afford a lighter.”
The Kenneth Fire has spread to nearly 1,000 acres with 35 percent containment, while multiple other fires continue to wreak havoc in southern California.
