“Saturday Night Live” alum David Spade is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who helps catch arsonists in the Los Angeles area.
The offer came as the wildfires that started last week have resulted in 25 deaths and over 12,000 homes, businesses, and other structures being destroyed, according to ABC News.
In a video posted on Instagram Story Saturday, Spade said, “I’m out in California and people are saying there’s guys lighting fires out there, [to] make this s**t worse. They just caught somebody, we’re pretty sure was lighting fires — walking along with a blowtorch — and they let him go.”
The “Joe Dirt” star continued making the offer: “So, if you can find someone lighting a fire, and you catch somebody, and you get the cops to bust them and throw them in jail, I’ll give you $5,000 bucks. So keep your eyes peeled and do what you can out there.”
“Don’t fake it though,” Spade said. “No staging.”
David Spade offers $5,000 reward to catch LA arsonists amid deadly fires: ‘Keep your eyes peeled’ https://t.co/0j87dGyUOx pic.twitter.com/jS1Myy22uX
— New York Post (@nypost) January 13, 2025
Newsweek reported that one fan responded to the video, “Wow a celebrity not complaining about himself and trying to help. Using his money. I respect that immensely 👏.” Another said in the comments, “Joe Dirt for Governor!!!”
Should other celebrities pitch in to increase the bounty?
Yes: 97% (56 Votes)
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Spade’s reference to a man being arrested with a blowtorch was regarding a citizen’s arrest made last week of Juan Sierra — a 33-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico — who witnesses say they saw trying to light a fire using a blowtorch.
The man with a blowtorch tackled by neighbors in California amid the wildfires turned out to be an illegal alien from Mexico.
The madness ENDS on January 20. pic.twitter.com/MLwUkGmNe0
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 13, 2025
Authorities ended up booking Sierra on a probation violation, but the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said he is a “person of interest” in the Kenneth Fire, which has since been contained.
Deadline reported that “Chicago Fire” actor Brian J. White, who has also played a police officer multiple times during his career, was among the citizens involved in the arrest in the Woodland Hills area north of Los Angeles.
‘Chicago Fire’ actor Brian J. White, neighbors sprung into action to take down illegal immigrant with ‘flamethrower’ near LA fires https://t.co/riPPBeqhHW pic.twitter.com/Veu1gS8omT
— New York Post (@nypost) January 15, 2025
White recounted that Sierra “became more aggressive, so we said, we’re making a citizen’s arrest.”
“Two of our neighbors work on cars in the garages; they had zip ties in one garage and little bit of rope in another garage. So we took him down, detained him, and waited for the police. Sixteen cruisers showed up within about seven minutes of us calling, and the rest is on the news,” the actor said.
Additionally, the Azusa Police Department arrested Jose Carranza-Escobar, a homeless man, Friday night after witnesses said he had ignited a blaze in a town park.
JUST IN: A fire erupted in Los Angeles last night but was promptly brought under control by emergency responders. Authorities later apprehended Jose Carranza-Escobar, a homeless individual, who confessed to igniting the blaze. He now faces charges of arson. pic.twitter.com/vIhIeT50Zd
— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) January 11, 2025
Celebrity podcaster and neuroscientist Andrew Huberman shared a video on X that purportedly showed a group starting a fire in Santa Monica.
“People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning areas of LA,” Huberman wrote. “We don’t need more flames out here. Some of those guys lit that fire … the tree has caught fire, and the palms are catching fire.”
People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA. Saw this happen first hand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica. Called it in & fire dept & police responded. Stay safe and call in any activity ASAP. We don’t need more flames out here. pic.twitter.com/AZ4GLr6N3q
— Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D. (@hubermanlab) January 9, 2025
The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that investigations are ongoing into the causes of the fires.
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