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Serial arson suspect arrested for string of destructive fires in downtown L.A.

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Serial arson suspect arrested for string of destructive fires in downtown L.A.

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.

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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.

  • Over $7 million worth of damages were left after several commerical buildings were set on fire in downtown Los Angeles on July 19, 2024. (OnScene.TV)
  • Over $7 million worth of damages were left after several commerical buildings were set on fire in downtown Los Angeles on July 19, 2024. (OnScene.TV)
  • Victor Marias, 31, was seen approaching a building on Kohler Street before he allegedly torched paper and cardboard behind a fence and started a massive fire on July 19, 2024. (Los Angeles Fire Department)
  • The suspect pours an accelerant inside a downtown L.A. building before lighting it on fire. (KTLA)
  • The suspect pours an accelerant inside a downtown L.A. building before lighting it on fire. (KTLA)
  • The suspect pours an accelerant inside a downtown L.A. building before lighting it on fire. (KTLA)
  • The suspect gathered wood, trash, and combustible debris before placing it near a power pole and setting it on fire. (KTLA)
  • Victor Marias, 31, was seen walking away from a pile of trash he is accused of setting on fire. (Los Angeles Fire Department)
  • Victor Marias, 31, was arrested on Oct. 3, 2024, in connection with a string of fires set across downtown Los Angeles since August 2023. (Los Angeles Fire Department)
  • Over $7 million worth of damages were left after several commerical buildings were set on fire in downtown Los Angeles on July 19, 2024. (OnScene.TV)

“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.

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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.

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Los Angeles, Ca

LIVE: CHP pursues high-speed driver in L.A. County

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LIVE: CHP pursues high-speed driver in L.A. County

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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Sky5 is overhead. Refresh this story for the latest updates.

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Los Angeles, Ca

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass introduces new LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

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L.A. Mayor Karen Bass introduces new LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

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.”

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Then-Sheriff elect Jim McDonnell, at podium, is sworn in as the new Los Angeles County Sheriff in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 1, 2014. McDonnell was named the LAPD chief on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

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.

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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.

Dominic Choi
Assistant Chief Dominic Choi is seen on Feb. 7, 2024. (KTLA)

“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.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Amazon hiring thousands of workers across Southern California

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Amazon hiring thousands of workers across Southern California

Those looking for a new job can join Amazon as the company is looking to hire thousands of new workers across Southern California.

The massive e-commerce company is hiring more than 3,000 seasonal roles in the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Anaheim areas. Across the state of California, around 30,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal roles are available.

The starting pay for all seasonal employees will start at $18 per hour and includes access to benefits like health care from the first day on the job.

A variety of jobs are available and seasonal employees will have an opportunity to transition to full-time positions, the company said Thursday.

Depending on the role, additional benefits workers can expect include flexible schedules, vision and dental insurance, a 401(k) with company match, up to 20 weeks of paid pregnancy/parental leave for birth parents, mental health and financial support services and more.

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  • Employees arrive at Amazon's San Bernardino Fulfillment Center October 29, 2013. (Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
  • An Amazon employee prepares a package at a fullfillment center. (Amazon)
  • In this Dec. 20, 2017, file photo, a clerk reaches to pick an item for a customer order at the Amazon Prime warehouse in New York. Amazon is boosting its minimum wage for all U.S. workers to $15 per hour starting next month. The company said Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, that the wage hike will benefit more than 350,000 workers, which includes full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal positions. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
  • Amazon employees load packages on carts before being put on to trucks for distribution for Amazon's annual Prime Day event at an Amazon's DAX7 delivery station on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in South Gate, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
  • People arrive for work at the Amazon distribution center in the Staten Island borough of New York, on Oct. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)
  • An Amazon worker delivers packages in Los Angeles on Oct. 1, 2020. July sales events have become a seasonal revenue driver for the retail industry since Amazon launched its first Prime Day back in 2015. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
  • The Amazon logo is seen on the exterior wall of the Amazon OXR1 fulfillment center in Oxnard, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Eligible full-time roles can access paid tuition assistance to earn college degrees or certificates.

“Seasonal employees who stay at the company can see an average pay increase of 15% over their first three years with Amazon,” the company said. 

Amazon is investing $2.2 billion in additional pay for fulfillment and transportation workers which, when accounting for elected benefits, will bring the average total compensation to more than $29 per hour.

“We’re also looking forward to welcoming back many familiar faces—each season we see many individuals come back year after year to be a part of the holiday season here at Amazon,” company officials said. “The holiday season is a time when we create a lot of new jobs for people who want to earn extra money for a few months or kick off a career at Amazon.”

Across the U.S., the company hopes to hire around 250,000 new full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs.

“Open roles are posted throughout the holiday season and fill up quickly, so be sure to check back for updates,” Amazon said.

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Those interested in browsing current openings and submitting an application can do so online here. Interested applicants can also text NEWJOB to 31432 to sign up for job alerts. 

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