The suspect who was caught by onlookers saying they saw the man trying to start fires with a blowtorch near a Los Angeles fire is reportedly an illegal immigrant who is likely to be protected under California’s sanctuary city status, according to the New York Post. The suspect, Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, is a Mexican national who is reportedly living in the United States illegally according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Post reports, Sierra-Leyva “was chased and taken down by residents of Woodland Hills after they allegedly saw torching old Christmas trees and debris on fire with what one resident described as a ‘flamethrower’ soon after the massive wildfire began Thursday. The suspect is being held on a felony probation violation, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said, without detailing his previous conviction.”
ICE is reportedly issuing a detainer request on the suspect, but because of California’s sanctuary laws, it might not be honored, sources told Fox News. The state’s sanctuary status law “ensures that no state resources are used to assist federal immigration enforcement.”
The Los Angeles City Council even unanimously passed an ordinance in November that prohibits the use of resources to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
The LAPD arrested Sierra-Levya but the suspect is not facing charges of arson at this time as the matter is still being investigated, according to Assistant Chief Dominic Choi who said that there was not enough evidence to issue the charges as of Friday.
Investigators looking into the cause of the raging wildfires that began last Tuesday have found evidence that they could have gotten out of control because of firefighters’ slower response to putting out a second blaze. The high winds quickly escalated the situation, but frustrated residents are also pointing to the slow response as a major part of the problem.
The Washington Post reports:
“The Post’s analysis showed that the new fire started in the vicinity of the old fire, raising the possibility that the New Year’s Eve fire was reignited, which can occur in windy conditions, experts said. Residents also told The Post and investigators on scene that firefighters’ response Tuesday was much slower than on New Year’s Eve — a view confirmed by radio transmissions.”
The exact cause of the fires is still being investigated and will be for weeks, or even months, according to officials.
One resident who spoke anonymously with a Washington Post reporter recalled people partying and setting off fireworks. The resident said that it is important to know that if a fire is put out, it is still hot below. The Santa Ana winds came and that is what he said he believes reignited the fire.
The death toll after Sunday was declared to still be rising with 24 people having already perished because of the wildfires. More than 12,000 homes had reportedly been burned and a high fire risk is expected to return earlier this week through Wednesday, according to The Washington Post.
Way to go. Next time residents will just not turn him in and take justice into their own hands!