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.
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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.
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.