A man was arrested for an alleged arson after a group of witnesses spotted him lighting a fire in Chatsworth on Monday and detained him until deputies arrived, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The man, identified only by the name Martinez, was seen lighting a fire near Knapp Ranch and Woolsey Canyon roads at about 4:30 p.m., the LASD said in a release.
Witnesses then followed Martinez in their vehicle and detained him in the 24000 block of Woolsey Canyon Road, deputies said. When deputies arrived, he had “placed himself in the prone position” to surrender.
The fire grew to about 100 square feet in area, but it was extinguished by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Martinez is due to appear in court on Wednesday and faces an arson charge.
Anyone with information is asked to call the LASD’s Arson/Explosive Unit at 323-881-7500.
To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
