This is the moment an arson suspect was arrested while standing next to a burning tree, as looters have targeted empty homes in a series of crimes amid LA’s wildfires.
Jose Gerardo Escobar was arrested Friday around 11:30 p.m. on suspicion of arson at Pioneer Park in Azusa — just four miles from the edge of the deadly Eaton Fire.
He has since been charged with arson, arson during a state of emergency and attempted arson.
Video footage showed the 39-year-old, wearing a green hoodie and black baseball cap, being led away by police as a tree on the ground of the public park burned.
So far, three people, including Escobar, have been arrested on suspicion of arson, while 68 people have been arrested for looting.
A man was arrested Sunday in Irwindale, California, for arson — about 15 miles from Altadena — where the deadly Eaton Fire continues to rage.
Firefighters were responding to a small bushfire in Irwindale when they witnessed 29-year-old Ruben Montes causing fires in the area, police have confirmed.
He was arrested by officers at the scene and eventually arrested for arson.
Jose Gerardo Escobar, 39, (photo arrested) was later charged with arson; arson during the state of emergency; and attempted arson
Ruben Montes, 29, (pictured) was arrested Sunday on arson charges in Irwindale, California, about 16 miles from Altadena, where the Eaton Fire continues to rage
Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva (photo arrested) was captured on video walking with a yellow blowtorch before being confronted by residents in Calabasas, west of Beverly Hills
Details about the incident are limited and police have not revealed where Montes was booked.
Police also did not reveal whether Montes was responsible for starting the forest fire or whether any of the fires he allegedly started caused damage.
It’s 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 residents reportedly saw him ‘trying to start a fire’.
The suspect was caught on video walking with a yellow blowtorch before being 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 brought under control.
A witness later said the suspect was “very focused on moving the gas burner.” The suspect told FOX 11: ‘I can’t stop. I can’t stop. I’m not putting this down. I’m doing this.’
Pictured: Residents hug each other outside a burning building as the Eaton Fire raged Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Altadena, California
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Renata Grinshpun also recalled how the community “really worked together as a group.” She told KTLA, “A few gentlemen surrounded him and put him on his knees. They got some zip ties and some rope and we were able to make a citizen’s arrest.”
As an officer approached, the three men who intervened were seen pointing the suspect at the police officer, who then took the suspect into custody.
Police officers said at the time that the suspect was taken to the Topanga Police Station after being held for “approximately 20 to 30 minutes.”
Sources also told DailyMail.com that a resident called 911 around 4:30 PM Thursday to report a man was trying to start a fire on the 21700 block of Ybarra Road.
But officials later said they had no probable cause to arrest him on arson charges and instead arrested him for a probation violation.
Ten people have been charged with crimes committed during the bushfires.
Nine people are facing felony charges in connection with home burglaries in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and a separate suspect has been charged with arson for intentionally setting a fire in the town of Azusa.
Video footage showed a group of looting suspects wearing gray tracksuits and carrying backpacks entering a home in the Pacific Palisades.
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Pictured: A firefighter sprays water on a burning house in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Pictured: Search and rescue crews work the area of devastation in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire on Sunday, January 12, 2025 in Altadena, California
The Ring doorbell footage shows three members of the group walking upstairs, while another heads to the right.
LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman said today, “These crimes are horrific and represent a direct attack on our community at 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 fires in Los Angeles have so far killed 24 people and destroyed more than 40,000 hectares.
Firefighters are currently working to contain four active fires in the Los Angeles area and officials are warning that Tuesday’s forecast wind gusts of 70 mph could cause “explosive fire growth.”
The flames have forced some 150,000 people to evacuate and reduced neighborhoods to smoldering ruins, leveling the homes of the rich, famous and ordinary people and creating an apocalyptic landscape.
“Our ability to quickly arrest and prosecute these individuals is a testament to the incredible dedication and cooperation of our law enforcement partners,” DA Hochman said.
“I want to thank every officer, investigator and prosecutor who is 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 essential partner in our efforts to protect residents, support first responders and ensure justice for those affected by these tragic events.”