Serial arson suspect arrested; Damages in the millions are alleged, including at least four fires

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Fire Department has arrested a serial arson suspect they believe is responsible for starting at least four fires in downtown Los Angeles in recent months, including one that caused more than $7 million in damage. dollars caused.

Victor Marias was arrested Thursday and is being held without bail, jail records show.

The LAFD said they believe Marias was responsible for setting at least four fires. The largest accident occurred on July 19, when a building on Kohler Street burst into flames. The fire caused more than $7 million in damage to the building, which appeared mostly destroyed.

According to Erik Scott of the LAFD, firefighters stormed into the building while it was still burning to steal a hard drive from the surveillance system. On this trip, investigators found video of the arson.

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Then on Sept. 22, the LAFD said Marias intentionally started a fire outside a business on Willow Street. A video from residents apparently showed Marias collecting trash in front of the store's door. Scot said Maria then left and came back at night to set the rubbish pile on fire.

The last fire was set on October 3rd at the same spot on Willow Street. Security footage appeared to show the same man doing the same thing he had done days before – gathering trash into a pile and then setting it on fire. From there, Scot said, investigators were able to identify Marias as their suspect and arrest him.

Officials also learned that Marias was on probation for starting another fire at a building on Palmetto Street in August 2023. A video of that fire shows a man pouring some kind of accelerant onto the floor of the building before setting it on fire.

Marias is charged with multiple counts of arson and a probation violation.