Arson suspect seen starting multiple fires
May. 18, 2021 at 1:09 pm
Fire: A homeless man was arrested for starting the fire. LAFD
The homeless man accused of starting the Palisades fire was arrested after police officers in a helicopter saw him starting additional fires in the already burning brushland.
Ramon Rodriguez Flores was identified as the suspect Tuesday and is currently held on $75,000 bail. According to LAFD, Flores was seen actively starting several fires.
“On Saturday morning, LAFD helicopter pilots observed an adult male moving around in the brush along a steep hillside near the fire,” said a statement from LAFD. “The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) air patrol was dispatched to monitor the individual. Officers from the West Los Angeles Community Police Station kept watch on the ground while the Air Support Division provided eyes in the sky. During an aerial observation, the Tactical Flight Officer witnessed the individual ignite multiple addi