An arson suspect accused of setting destructive fires around downtown Los Angeles was arrested.

The suspect, Victor Marias, 31, was taken into custody Thursday after police reportedly spotted him igniting a pile of trash on fire.

Marias is believed to be responsible for at least four blazes in the downtown L.A. area dating back to 2023, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

On July 19, crews responded to a large fire on Kohler Street between 7th and 8th Streets. The flames had spread to several commercial buildings and took over five hours to extinguish. An estimated $7 million in damages were left behind.

“Arson investigators quickly made entry into the structure while it was still burning to find and extract a hard drive that held the surveillance footage of the fire actually being set,” said LAFD Captain Erik Scott.

Investigators have linked Marias to at least three other fires, including two that occurred in the same location on Willow Street on Sept. 22 and Oct. 3.

“Residents provided investigators with video footage that showed the suspect gathering garbage throughout the day, placing it at the front door of the business and then later that evening, he returned and lit the trash on fire,” Scott said.

In both cases, nearby residents provided surveillance footage reportedly showing the man collecting combustible items, setting them on fire and casually walking away.

At the time of his arrest, Marias was on probation for a blaze that damaged a building on Palmetto Street in August 2023. In that incident, he was seen pouring an accelerant inside the building before lighting it on fire.

On Friday, his case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office as he faces multiple felony charges of arson of a structure and arson of property, along with a probation violation.

“The crime of arson is egregious because it not only threatens widespread damage to property, but threatens the lives of first responders and the public,” LAFD said.

He is currently being held without bail. He is expected to appear in court on Monday, Oct. 6.

Authorities are asking anyone with evidence that could link additional fires to the suspect to email LAFDArson@lacity.org.

Authorities are pursuing a suspect driver in Los Angeles County Friday night.

The suspect, driving a yellow Ford Mustang, is wanted for an assault, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver is traveling at high speeds on the freeway and surface streets, weaving dangerously between vehicles and narrowly missing other drivers.

It’s unclear how many people may be inside the vehicle, but authorities believe at least one passenger is present.

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Residents of Los Angeles finally know their next chief of police.

In a news conference Friday, mayor Karen Bass introduced Jim McDonnell, former Los Angeles County Sheriff and LAPD assistant chief, as the new chief of the L.A. Police Department. The hire is thought to be one of the crucial events of Bass’ first term in office.

McDonnell was elected sheriff in 2014 before losing to Alex Villanueva in a 2018 reelection bid.

He previously served as the chief of the Long Beach Police Department.

“In ensuring that our city is prepared, I have selected Jim McDonnell to serve as the 59th chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Bass said. “Chief McDonnell is one of America’s finest police professionals.”

McDonnell graduated from LAPD’s academy at the age of 21.

“I’m appointing Chief McDonnell because he and I have aligned in our desire to change the direction of Los Angeles by preventing crime in the first place, responding urgently when crime takes place, and to hold people accountable and bring down crime,” Bass said.

During Friday’s announcement, McDonnell grasped the magnitude of his role in leading the police force of the second-largest city in the U.S.

“I love this city and I understand the modern-day challenges our officers face in trying to protect it,” he said.

In their remarks, both McDonnell and Bass acknowledged the opportunity L.A. has to rehabilitate its image as a safe city for the rest of the world, as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

The announcement comes after a search spanning several months. The vacancy opened after Chief Michael Moore’s surprise retirement earlier this year. Moore, who served in the role from 2018 until this February, took on challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and protests stemming from the death of George Floyd.

In March, Assistant Chief Dominic H. Choi was unanimously appointed by the civilian Board of Police Commissioners to serve as interim chief of the LAPD. From the beginning of his brief term, Choi never sought out the full-time role of chief.

“I want to thank Chief Choi,” Bass said on Friday. “I’m grateful that you will continue, you’re not going anywhere, you will continue your role as assistance chief.”

Choi, LAPD’s first-ever Asian-American chief, took on challenges such as growing concerns over theft and smash-and-grab crimes throughout L.A.