A homeless man who was reportedly trying to start fires with a blowtorch near a Los Angeles wildfire is an illegal immigrant, according to Fox News.
The suspect, Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, is a Mexican national living in the states illegally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sources told Fox News.
According to the New York Post, Sierra-Leyva will likely be protected by California’s sanctuary policies that protect illegals. This 2017 law prohibits state resources from being used to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Sierra-Leyva was tackled and zip-tied by onlookers who saw him using a flamethrower to ignite fires close to where a wildfire broke out (via NYP):
He was chased and taken down by residents of Woodland Hills after they allegedly saw him 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.
Suspect arrested with ‘flamethrower’ near Kenneth Fire is an illegal immigrant: report https://t.co/Tj1obUrWo5 pic.twitter.com/IINVS0c4IT
— New York Post (@nypost) January 13, 2025
Video shows homeless man with ‘flamethrower’ tackled by residents in California pic.twitter.com/UKl4Bddx7c
— New York Post (@nypost) January 11, 2025
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Additionally, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed an ordinance in November to prohibit the use of city resources and personnel to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
Residents who spotted Sierra-Leyva held him down until officers arrived, according to KTLA.
“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!’” Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the incident, told the outlet.
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