However, there was insufficient evidence to charge him with arson, LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi told reporters on Friday.
“Once we learned this suspect was a possible arson suspect,” major crimes divisions from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office interviewed him, Choi said.
“After the interview and additional investigative steps looking at some additional evidence that was present they made the determination that there was not enough probable cause to arrest this person on arson or suspicion of arson.”
“I’d like to thank those community members that were involved in helping bring this person to our attention,” Choi told reporters.
Officials have yet to determine the cause of any of the wildfires that have consumed more than 35,000 acres in and around Los Angeles, destroying thousands of structures and killing at least ten people.
Soon after the alleged firebug was arrested, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the Kenneth Fire was most likely arson.
The Kenneth Fire broke out Thursday and has since burned 1,000 acres. The fire was 35% contained Friday afternoon.
The fire is one of five burning in Los Angeles County, with the largest, the Palisades Fire, consuming over 20,000 acres. In total, over 35,000 acres, or twice the size of Manhattan, have burned in Southern California this week.
