Arson suspect arrested in Woodland Hills near Kenneth Fire, Residents restrained suspect

Jan 10, 2025

Arson suspect arrested in Woodland Hills near Kenneth Fire, Residents restrained suspect

Jan 10, 2025

An arson suspect was arrested Thursday night near the Kenneth Fire area as fire crews continue battling flames burning near homes in Calabasas and West Hills.

At around 4:30 p.m., Los Angeles police responded to reports of a man attempting to light a fire in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills.

Residents who spotted the suspect held him down until officers arrived. Photos shared on the Citizen app show officers surrounding a home where the man was handcuffed.


Advertisement


“We were sitting in the backyard and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt and the guy is running out saying, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!’” recalled Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the incident.

Grinshpun said the commotion roused neighbors from their homes who cornered the suspect and held him down. She said the man had what appeared to be a large “propane tank or a flamethrower,” and a neighbor saw him trying to light an object on fire behind a vehicle.

“We really banded together as a group,” Grinshpun said. “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 citizens’ arrest.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether the man was responsible or had any connection with the current wildfires. His identity was not released.

“What we know right now is that the incident occurred here and about 20-30 minutes later, a suspect was detained by citizens,” said Sean Dinse, from LAPD’s Topanga Division.

When asked whether the fire was a possible case of arson, Dinse said, “At this time, that’s what we believe. It’s being investigated as a crime.”

The Kenneth Fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. in an area of dry brush in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space just north of the 101 Freeway. By 9 p.m., the fire grew to 1,000 acres with 35% containment.

About the Author

End Time Headlines is a ministry founded, owned, and operated by Ricky Scaparo, established in 2010 to equip believers and inform discerning individuals about the “Signs and Seasons” of the times in which we live. Ricky authors original articles and curates news from mainstream sources, carefully selecting topics, verifying information, and utilizing artificial intelligence tools to ensure content is both timely and accurate. Every piece is personally reviewed and edited by Ricky to align with the ministry’s mission of providing a prophetic perspective on current events.

Advertisement

CATEGORIES