Couple confront a suspect on video after they spot him near a burning tree in Runyon Canyon
Six months after they evacuated their home during the Sunset fire in the same area, the couple were aware of the risks of flames in the Hollywood Hills, home to multimillion-dollar houses and acres of wildlife habitat. Together, they detained the suspect and caught him on video apparently admitting to starting the blaze.
'There was no doubt in my mind he did it,' said DiMarco, a designer. In the man's hand was what appeared to be a lighter, she said.
Mitchell, 41, is a former professional football player, and was able to chase the suspect down, quickly closing a 150-yard gap.
Given that the incident occurred toward the end of a hilly hike, 'I was just surprised I had a little left in the tank,' he joked.
By the time DiMarco got her cellphone camera rolling, Mitchell was already confronting the suspect.
'I made sure he knew that he wasn't going anywhere,' Mitchell said.
Other hikers on the busy trail joined in to help detain the man and to call the police and fire authorities. Some passersby filmed in the now-viral video of the encounter expressed frustration at the man.
The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the scene with helicopters and fire trucks, and the fire was out within an hour.
State park rangers and Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested the suspect, according to LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart. LAPD officials did not identify the suspect and referred all questions about the incident to state park rangers, who did not respond immediately to calls for comment.
After the couple left, the shock set in. DiMarco uploaded the video when the couple got off the hill. 'I didn't realize how big it would be,' she said. 'It's sad that he admitted that he did that and didn't care.'
Their video was viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Instagram. Among thousands of comments were some claiming they saw the same man at other parks trying to set fires.
The couple had time to think back to the deadly fires of January.
The Sunset fire burned 43 acres near Runyon Canyon and triggered massive evacuations Jan. 8 but damaged no homes. Still, it ignited during the same period of strong winds that fueled the devastating fires that burned in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, taking 30 lives.
'We don't wanna relive that, and we don't want anybody else to have to relive that,' Mitchell said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
11 hours ago
- New York Post
Democrat running for NY district attorney ‘encourages' criminals to apply for job on staff
Crime doesn't pay — so try politics instead. The Democrat running to be Nassau County's top prosecutor encouraged convicted criminals to apply for a job on her campaign that could pay them up to $7,000 a month. District Attorney candidate Nicole Aloise's campaign posted an ad seeking a 'communications director' on job website as she tries to unseat Republican incumbent District Attorney Anne Donnelly. Advertisement 3 District Attorney candidate Nicole Aloise's campaign posted an ad seeking a 'communications director' on job website Nicole Aloise/Instagram 'People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply,' the job posting says, offering a salary range of between $6,000-$7,000 a month. The call for ex-cons to apply for a job sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise traditional job description that notes applicants should have previous experience in media relations, dealing with New York journalists or working on campaigns. Advertisement Any top media manager's goal is to get the candidate favorable press coverage. Donnelly called the advertisement more than politically tone-deaf, labeling the job solicitation 'dangerous,' and claiming it exposes Aloise's 'criminal-first agenda' that puts criminals over law-abiding citizens. 3 'People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply,' the job posting says. Indeed 'The District Attorney is responsible for safeguarding confidential information, ensuring justice, and holding criminals accountable—not inviting them into the heart of a campaign for Nassau County's top law enforcement post,' Donnelly told The Post. Advertisement 'Only someone deeply out of touch would prioritize hiring convicted criminals over qualified, law-abiding citizens for such a sensitive role.' Aloise is a career prosecutor who spent 16 years working in both the Queens and Nassau district attorneys' offices. Some municipalities bar employers from discriminating against convicted criminals. 3 Aloise is a career prosecutor who spent 16 years working in both the Queens and Nassau district attorneys' offices. Nicole Aloise/Instagram Advertisement New York City has the 'Ban the Box' law, also known as the Fair Chance Act, which prohibits employers from asking about an applicant's criminal history or conducting background checks until a conditional job offer is made. That means employers can't include questions about criminal records on job applications or during initial interviews. But Donnelly said explicitly singling out criminals — not law abiding citizens — to apply for a job with a DA candidate whose mission is to enforce the law is beyond the pale. 'This isn't just a campaign misstep—it's a window into Nicole Aloise's dangerous worldview,' Donnelly said. 'Hiring criminals to help run her campaign? That's who she is. Nassau residents can't afford to hand the keys to the DA's Office over to someone who embraces that kind of reckless ideology.' Aloise didn't immediately return a phone message or email seeking comment. Donnelly touted her own prosecutorial record to make Nassau one of the safest counties in America, while fighting to repeal New York's cashless bail law. 'If you want safety, accountability, and common sense in your District Attorney, I'm proud to be the choice of Nassau neighbors who want to keep Nassau the safest community in the U.S.A,' Donnelly said.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- USA Today
'Intentional act': LAPD says suspect was kicked out of club before driving car into crowd
Surveillance video indicates a driver intentionally crashed into a crowd on a Los Angeles street, injuring more than two dozen people before he was pulled from the vehicle by bystanders, beaten and shot, authorities said. Los Angeles Police Department Officer Norma Eisenman told USA TODAY the suspected driver, Fernando Ramirez, was booked for assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury. Ramirez, 29, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said. A manhunt was underway for the shooter, described by police as a Hispanic male, about 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, bald, wearing a blue jersey and possibly armed with a silver revolver, police said. The chaotic scene unfolded Saturday at around 2 a.m. in East Hollywood as people spilled out from the Vermont Hollywood nightclub. Police said the suspect had been kicked out of the club and minutes later returned, driving his vehicle onto the sidewalk and ramming into the packed crowd. 'Driver being assaulted by bystanders': Over 2 dozen people injured after vehicle crashes into crowd in Los Angeles "When you review the video, it's clear that he drove that vehicle down a sidewalk and around a bus. It was an intentional act," LAPD Capt. Ben Fernandes told KABC-TV. Fernandes said club security was attempting to detain the suspect when someone "came from across the street, armed with a firearm, and then shot our suspect in the buttocks." Several people critically injured The police statement said officers arrived at the scene to find the driver being assaulted by bystanders and determined he had sustained a gunshot wound. The Los Angeles Fire Department said seven people, including the suspect, were in critical condition; six are listed in serious condition, while 10 are in fair condition. Another seven patients refused transport after being treated or assessed for injuries at the scene, the department said in a statement. Vermont Hollywood club says it is aiding probe The club issued a statement saying its staff was "deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred early Saturday morning outside our venue." The statement said that at about 2 a.m., as patrons were leaving, "a driver veered onto the sidewalk and struck multiple individuals." The statement said the staff was working closely with law enforcement to ensure "the person responsible for this horrific act" was held accountable. "We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to the first responders for their swift and compassionate action in assisting those affected," the statement concluded. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci
San Francisco Chronicle
18 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
England's Jess Carter reveals racial abuse at Euro 2025, FA has contacted police
ZURICH (AP) — England defender Jess Carter says she has been subject to racial abuse online at the Women's European Championship. Carter came in for a lot of criticism for her performance during England's opening loss to France. And some of that has crossed the line even as the 27-year-old and the Lionesses have reached the semifinals at Euro 2025. 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,' Carter wrote in an emotional post on Instagram on Sunday. 'Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result I don't agree or think it's ok to target someone's appearance or race.' Carter, who has made 49 appearances for England and plays for Gotham FC, says she will be taking a step back from social media. 'As ever I am grateful for all of the support from the genuine fans but I am taking this measure to protect myself in a bid to keep my focus on helping the team anyway I can,' she added. The Football Association has contacted police back in the United Kingdom. 'Our priority is Jess and giving her all the support she needs,' FA CEO Mark Bullingham said. 'We strongly condemn those responsible for this disgusting racism. 'As soon as we were made aware of the racist abuse Jess received, we immediately contacted UK police. They are in touch with the relevant social media platform, and we are working with police to ensure those responsible for this hate crime are brought to justice.' England plays Italy in the semifinals on Tuesday in Geneva, after a dramatic comeback against Sweden last week saw the Lionesses win a chaotic penalty shootout. ___
