On Sunday, May 3, 2020, at approximately 1:00 a.m., an alert resident in the 300 block of San Pascual Avenue called police to report a suspicious male attempting to light a fire in the brush. Moments later, additional reports were received of three separate fires between the 300 and 500 blocks of Arroyo Drive. Emergency personnel responded within minutes and quickly extinguished the fires.
While on scene, officers contacted 34-year-old Jesus Vargas of Los Angeles. Several items of evidentiary value were located, and Vargas was arrested.
Although the fires destroyed some vegetation, fortunately no homes were significantly threatened due to the rapid response from the South Pasadena Fire Department.
The South Pasadena Police Department is asking anyone with additional information to contact them at (626) 403-7270 or San Marino Fire Department Arson Investigator Jason Sutliff at (626) 300-0735.
