[X] Federal authorities arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht in Florida on charges of maliciously starting a New Year's Day fire in Pacific Palisades that smoldered underground before erupting into the Palisades Fire, scorching 23,000 acres, killing 12 people, destroying over 6,800 structures, and causing $150 billion in damages. The eight-month investigation by the ATF, LAFD, and LAPD uncovered evidence including cell phone data placing him at the site, videos he recorded of the flames, and false statements to Sherlocks. Rinderknecht, a former Uber driver, faces up to 20 years in prison and awaits extradition to Los Angeles.| The Justice Department press release explains how the Mr. Rinderknecht set the Lachman fire and it went underground before flaring up again in the Palisades — the technical term is holdover fire. Link The Times has taken an interest, and has lots of photos. |
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