A recent event in La Verne has drawn attention after a man was arrested for starting a fire at a large homeless encampment on private property. The La Verne Police Department confirmed in a statement that the suspect had set up his temporary residence perched in a tree along a hillside off San Dimas Canyon Road.
On September 18, smoke was reported by a resident, prompting firefighters to quickly respond to the scene and discover the encampment. According to a KTLA report, the occupant had vacated the area before authorities arrived, but an investigation indicated that "the reported smoke was caused by a campfire started by the occupant of the encampment." Fire crews were able to extinguish the flames, preventing any further threat to the wooded area.
The property owner requested the removal of the encampment, and the area was subsequently deemed safe by the local Fire Marshal. The suspect was located on September 26, nearly a week after the incident, and taken into custody, facing charges of reckless burning and trespassing, as per the La Verne Police Department's Instagram post.
In light of the arrest and ongoing investigation, officials are reminding residents to remain on alert and report any suspicious activities or signs of smoke. "Protecting our community and reducing wildfire risk remain top priorities for the City of La Verne," the police department stressed, expressing appreciation for the community's vigilance and the swift response of first responders. The suspect is still being held in custody with the intention to soon present the case for criminal complaint filing to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
