February 6, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Police Arrest Serial Arsonist Suspect Who Lit 10 Fires In 10 Days:

A 54-year-old homeless man who Santa Monica police believe is responsible for at least 10 arson fires over a 10-day span is in custody after an undercover operation.

SMPD Sgt. Jay Moroso said suspect Balbinder Singh Sihota, 54, was arrested on Jan. 9, adding the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office had filed four counts of felony arson against the subject.

Moroso said the fires were located at various locations in the center of the city and involved the lighting of trash dumpsters and discarded Christmas trees.  

He said these fires led to three apartment complexes being damaged by flames.   

“At one of the complexes, the fire had burned into a ground-level garage and was threatening to burn further up, into the living area of the complex,” Moroso said. “Another arson fire caused major damage to a car parked at a car dealership.”

The fires spanned a 10-day period starting on Dec. 30, 2013.  

Moroso said officers and detectives worked diligently in trying to identify the suspect.  

“The Santa Monica Police Department deployed undercover officers in the areas of the arsons in an attempt to catch the person or persons responsible,” he said. “Their efforts paid off when the undercover officers’ attention was drawn to a man who was seen flicking a lighter several times for no apparent reason and acting suspiciously in the area of where the arsons were taking place.”

The man was detained and a detective was able to respond to the scene and identify the suspect as the arsonist, based on investigative work he had already completed on the case, Moroso said.

Two other witnesses were also questioned at the time of the detention and they implicated the suspect in several arsons, Moroso said.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Detective D’Andrea at 310.458.6679.

in News
<>Related Posts

Best Spots to Celebrate Valentines, Galentines, or Have a Super Bowl Party on the Westside

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Cocktails, Game Day Grub, Valentine’s Pasta, and a Lonely Heart’s Tea Service You will find many excellent ways to celebrate...

Dead Body Found on Sands of Venice Beach, Investigation Underway

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

A death investigation is underway By Zach Armstrong A death investigation is underway after local officials discovered a dead body...

Will Rogers State Beach to Become Temporary Hazardous Waste Site

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

The site, located on flat, open land near the burn zone, will serve as a staging area where materials will...

FDA Issues High-Risk Recall for Pre-Packaged Broccoli Florets Sold at Walmart

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Recall Is Now Classified as Class I Due to Seriousness Of Contamination The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified...

Matū Kai Brings Its Signature Wagyu and Famous Cheesesteak to Brentwood

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Team Behind Beverly Hills’ Acclaimed Matū Is Opening a Second Location One of Beverly Hills’s newest and most popular restaurants,...

SaMoHi Science Teacher Arrested for Alleged Student Relationship

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Ingo Gaida Faces Misdemeanor Charges After Investigation into Inappropriate Conduct A Santa Monica High School science teacher was arrested Wednesday,...

Supermarket Reopens in Palisades Following Wildfire Damage

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

The store is currently operating on a generator until power is fully restored The Vons supermarket at 17380 W Sunset...

State Farm Seeks Emergency Rate Hike, Citing Wildfire Losses—Consumer Advocates Push Back

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Insurer Requests up to a 38% Rate Increase, but Critics Call It an Unjustified Cash Grab In a press release...

Santa Monica’s Earth, Wind & Flour to Close After More Than Four Decades

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Known for its laid-back atmosphere and commitment to traditional California Italian cuisine, Earth, Wind & Flour has remained largely unchanged...

Palisades Charter High School to Host Benefit for Students Affected by Fires

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Proceeds from the benefit will go toward replacing essential student resources lost in the fires, including sporting equipment, musical instruments,...

World-Renowned Trumpeter Plays on Ruins of Palisades Home

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Lindemann, a professor at UCLA and a former lead trumpeter with the Canadian Brass, has performed in prestigious venues worldwide...

(Video) Los Angeles Marathon Returns For 40th Anniversary

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Register at mccourtfoundation.org Register at https://t.co/9GnO70uEvh pic.twitter.com/EM8auAYUtm — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror) February 4, 2025

Santa Monica Continues to Seek Partnership to Reopen Civic Auditorium

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

The selection process for a development team began in late 2023, when the City Council invited Letters of Interest from...

Breaking News: Pacific Coast Highway to Close Tuesday Due to Storm Risks

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Cal Trans Reverses Decision to Open the Highway to Residents This Week After Cal Trans District 7 announced that Pacific...

Palisades Skate Shop Featured in Grammy Commercial After Wildfire Loss

February 2, 2025

February 2, 2025

In December, the shop marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration featuring live music and reflections on its history A...