Two men have been charged with unrelated felony arson charges in Los Angeles as authorities battle firebugs, looters and multiple raging blazes in Southern California.
According to the District Attorney's Office, the incidents occurred in various areas of Los Angeles County over the weekend.
Jaime Mota, 37, was held on $350,000 bail Saturday afternoon on suspicion of setting fire to a pile of wooden pallets behind a shipyard in the industrial city. The flames spread to the trailer and surrounding bushes, authorities said. If convicted, he could be sentenced to seven years in prison.
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Firefighters work at the scene of an apartment fire during the Eaton Fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California, on January 8, 2025. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
In Irwindale, 27-year-old Ruben Michael Montez is being held on $400,000 bail on suspicion of starting a fire under the Interstate 605 overpass on Riverglade Road. At the time of the incident, he was already on probation and could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
“We owe it to the victims of these fires and to the brave first responders who risked their lives to ensure justice is served,” District Attorney Nathan Hockman said in a statement. “This is a message to anyone considering similar conduct: You will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Firefighters battle flames from the Palisades Fire burning through the Theater Palisades during a powerful rainstorm in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2025. (Apu Gomez/Getty Images)
He noted that the department had recently indicted 10 other people on charges of looting and arson, and said the department would continue to crack down on crimes.
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“The people of Los Angeles County are enduring unprecedented hardship as wildfires sweep through our communities, displacing families, destroying homes and tragically claiming lives,” Hochman said.
“While first responders and residents are working tirelessly to protect lives and property, we will not tolerate individuals who exploit this tragedy by committing heinous acts of arson and looting. The department continues to put unrelenting pressure on those who threaten the safety and security of our county.” ”
A helicopter descends amidst smoke from the Palisades Fire in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA, on January 11, 2025. (Reuters/Daniel Dreyfuss)
On Tuesday, Hochman and District Attorney Todd Spitzer of neighboring Orange County joined forces to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to make looting a felony.
Arson incidents are of interest to law enforcement and the public alike.
Nathan Hockman attends the Los Angeles District Attorney Candidates Forum at the Pacific Palms Resort before winning the November election. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Last week, “Chicago Fire” actor Brian J. White took the fight into the real world and, along with a group of neighbors, made a citizen's arrest against illegal immigrants who were marching through their neighborhood carrying torches. did.
And on Monday, Hochman's office announced charges against Hochman after neighbors witnessed the homeless Azusa man lighting a brush fire in a park near his home. They verbally confronted him until nearby Azusa police officers arrived and handcuffed him at the scene.
Amid multiple large wildfires burning in Los Angeles, Azusa police arrested 39-year-old homeless arson suspect Jose Carranza Escobar near a small wildfire. The fire is believed to have been caused by arson. (Courtesy of Fox News Digital)
“The Azusa Police Department urges everyone to remain vigilant as fires continue to impact the county,” Azusa Capt. Rob Landeros said in a statement over the weekend. “We must be wary of individuals who may enter our communities with the intent of starting fires.”
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Flames from the Palisades Fire burn through buildings on Sunset Boulevard during a powerful rainstorm in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2025. (Apu Gomez/Getty Images)
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, authorities said.
In another unrelated arson case, Jim McDonnell told a local ABC affiliate that one of the arson suspects told police he liked the smell of burning leaves.
At least 24 people have been killed in multiple wildfires in Los Angeles over the past week, and the number is expected to rise.
