The suspect, Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, is a Mexican national who is in the United States illegally, ICE sources told Fox.
Jennie Taer and Patrick Reilly – New York Post Jan 13, 2025
The homeless man tackled and zip-tied by onlookers who say he was trying to start fires with a blowtorch near a Los Angeles wildfire is an illegal immigrant who will likely be protected by California’s sanctuary city status, according to sources.
The suspect is Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, a Mexican national who is in the United States illegally, sources told The Post.
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.
Detectives are still investigating it as possible arson, but LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said Friday that there was not immediately enough evidence for that charge.
ICE placed a detainer request on him three days ago, but the federal agency does not expect it to be honored due to California’s sanctuary state law, sources said.
“The lack of communication between local and federal law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles due to sanctuary policies put in place by LA city council and Governor [Gavin] Newsom, have resulted in many arrests that have been unreported to and followed up by ICE,” a law enforcement source told The Post.
“Many of which are criminals who have numerous encounters with local law enforcement for serious crimes,” they added.
California’s sanctuary state law, passed in 2017, ensures that no state resources are used to assist federal immigration enforcement.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed an ordinance in November that prohibits the use of city resources and personnel to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
Sierra-Leyva has a lengthy rap sheet in LA County and has been convicted of multiple crimes — including assault with a deadly weapon in 2023, records show.
He has collectively spent more than two years in jail, sources told The Post.
It’s not clear where or when he crossed into the US.
Video that went viral shows neighbors cornering and then detaining Sierra-Leyva as he holds what one resident described as a “flamethrower” on the street, with one man yelling at him: “Put it down!”
Renata Grinshpun told KTLA she was in her backyard when she heard a car screech to a stop and a man yelling that someone was trying to start a fire.
“A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens’ arrest,” Grinshpun said.
The LAPD responded and arrested Sierra-Leyva, video from the scene shows. The major crimes squad was called in because he was “a possible arson suspect” — but no arson charges were brought against him, Choi told reporters Friday.
The Kenneth Fire burned more than 1,050 acres (1.6 square miles) over three days in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It was completely contained by Sunday morning.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Lies and more lies, always to divert from the real perpetrators such as the government agencies. Yes, why not put out a picture of a middle east looking man. I am sure more of these criminals acts will surface. Next will be an Iranian carrying out a false flag as to get the usa to bomb Iran on behalf of israhell.
Looking at a video showing the fire-gutted homes of some of Hollywood’s famous names it’s the usual damage we’ve seen elsewhere lately which doesn’t look natural. Homes left as burned out shells as were some of the cars left in driveways, yet trees were left unscorched, some still green and all still standing.
It will disappoint many of these stars to know they’re not so powerful anymore. They can’t be, if they can be burnt out of their homes. I wonder if any of this has to do with the modern state of the movie world? All the good ideas made into films, no good ideas left, and modern productions of old classics never quite hitting the spot. Maybe it’s not just end-stage capitalism but end-stage Hollywood. Maybe that persuaded the invisible hands of power they could smoke these rich people out next?
Will the persons who made the citizens arrest be arrested themselves for this ‘hate crime?!
Friction causes lava to rise in cracks in LA. If your house is over such a crack it burns from the insight out, same for your car when it is parked over a hotspot. Some trees burn from the inside out because the roots are in a hot crack. Can soon be observed from the Gulf of America up to the Seaway.
Arsonist Sierra Leyva?
Sounds like a Maranno Joo
While I agree with the diversionary aspects of this, as suggested by phyllis costa in the top comment, I still feel that the degenerate mongrel should have that blowtorch forced up his ass then hogtied and air-dropped with his hair set on fire into Mexico City from 1000 feet sans parachute.
Man, have people gotten soft. In New Orleans in 2005 after hurricane Katrina, criminal scum like that were executed in the streets by good citizens. There were signs posted around the city that said, “You loot, we shoot”, and it wasn’t just a hollow warning. Street justice is the only actual justice you’ll find these days thanks to a deeply corrupt jewdiciary.
i heard a passport was found nearby
bearing his name etc