A homeless man zip-tied by concerned citizens after he was seen lighting fires on a Los Angeles street with a torch has yet to be charged with arson, Los Angeles cops said Friday — while stressing they are still investigating the disturbing incident.
The man was cornered and tied up by residents of Woodland Hills on Thursday afternoon after they allegedly saw him riding his bike around and lighting old Christmas trees and debris on fire with what one resident described as a “flamethrower.”
Police soon arrived and took the man — who has still not been identified — into custody.
However, there was not enough 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 LAPD and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office interviewed the man, 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 on arson.”
He was arrested on a felony probation violation and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
“I’d like to thank those community members that were involved in helping bring this person to our attention,” Choi said.
Officials have not yet determined the cause for any of the wildfires that have scorched more than 35,000 acres in and around Los Angeles, destroying thousands of structures and killing at least 10 people.
