The man with a blowtorch who was arrested after residents near one of the Los Angeles wildfires apprehended him is a Mexican national in the U.S. illegally.
In videos seen last week, Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva was reportedly seen walking with a yellow blowtorch before Calabasas residents confronted him and held him until police arrived. He was arrested on a probation violation, however, because authorities reportedly lacked probable cause to charge him with arson.
In a post on X, Fox News reporter Bill Melugin shared information on the suspect from sources at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Per ICE sources, the man seen in a viral video being subdued by residents & arrested by police w/ a blowtorch near the #KennethFire in West Hills is an illegal alien from Mexico named Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva. He is in custody on a probation violation & has NOT been charged w/ arson,” Melugin wrote.
“I’m told ICE will place a detainer request on him with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, but they do not expect it to be honored due to California’s Sanctuary State law,” he added. “I’m told Sierra-Leyva will have a court appearance tomorrow. Again — he has not been charged w/ arson and is in custody only on a probation violation at the moment, as multiple agencies have been interviewing him.”
NEW: Per ICE sources, the man seen in a viral video being subdued by residents & arrested by police w/ a blowtorch near the #KennethFire in West Hills is an illegal alien from Mexico named Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva. He is in custody on a probation violation & has NOT been charged…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 13, 2025
“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 suspect being detained by residents, told KTLA.
“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,” LAPD Divisional Chief Dominic Choi said at a news conference last week.
Sierra-Leyva is due back in court Monday and Choi said the investigation was “ongoing.