The homeless man who was attacked and tied up with zip ties by onlookers as he tried to start a fire with a torch near a Los Angeles wildfire is an illegal immigrant and will be protected in California's sanctuary city, according to reports. It is said that there is a high possibility.
The suspect, identified as Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, is a Mexican national who is in the U.S. illegally, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sources. told Fox News.
Residents in Woodland Hills were struck by what one resident described as a “flame thrower” shortly after a massive wildfire started Thursday after witnessing an old Christmas tree and debris set on fire. He was chased and apprehended.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said the suspect was in custody on a felony charge of violation of probation, but did not provide details on his criminal record.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the fire as a possible arson, but Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Dominic Choi said Friday there was not enough evidence immediately to support that charge.
ICE plans to file a detention request against him, but the federal agency does not expect the request to be honored due to California's sanctuary state law, sources told Fox News.
California's sanctuary state law, passed in 2017, guarantees that state resources will not be used to support federal immigration enforcement.
In November, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of city resources and personnel to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
A video circulating online shows Sierra Leyva being cornered and restrained by neighbors on the street holding what one resident described as a “flame thrower” while a man yells, “Put it down!” '' he is shown yelling.
Renata Grinspun told KTLA She was in the backyard when she heard a car screeching to a halt and a man yelling that someone was trying to start a fire.
“Several gentlemen surrounded him and forced him to his knees. They got zip ties and rope and we were able to arrest the resident,” Grinshpan said.
LAPD responded and arrested Sierra-Leyva, according to video from the scene. Choi told reporters on Friday that he was referred to the Major Crimes Unit because he was a “possible arson suspect” but was not charged with arson.
It was not immediately clear what felony charge Sierra-Leyva was on parole for.
The Kenneth Fire burned more than 1,050 acres over three days in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It was completely contained by Sunday morning.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
