L.A. fire investigators release video of suspected arsonist

Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators released surveillance video Sunday of a man they believed responsible for a dozen fires in the west San Fernando Valley.

The fires occurred between Oct. 21 and Oct. 28, said Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the Fire Department. The fires were set in garbage bins in an area bordered by Canoga Avenue on the west, Devonshire Street on the north, Corbin Avenue on the east and Parthenia Street to the south.

On the video, the suspect can be seen getting out of his vehicle in the early morning hours of Oct. 28 outside a restaurant on Devonshire Street. He is walking toward a garbage bin, which he sets on fire. The suspect then gets back in his car and watches the fire grow.

Amanda Burden, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, spoke to Gerry DeJesus who saw the arsonist when he was scanning his security camera video. DeJesus said signs warning that security cameras are in operation are clearly visible.

“He parked right in front of the sign. And he saw the sign. And I think he looked up and saw the camera but didn’t care. He just did his business,” DeJesus said.

Anyone with information about the person seen in the video is asked to call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism section at (213) 893-9850.

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--Carlos Lozano