Authorities Seek Arsonist Suspected In Multiple Westside Fires

VENICE, CA — Officials Tuesday asked the public for help identifying a man suspected of setting multiple trash fires in Venice.

The suspect set several fires Saturday on Flower Court between Sixth and Seventh avenues before continuing westbound and setting additional rubbish fires on Paloma Court between Pacific Avenue and Speedway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Authorities described the suspect as a Black man between ages 25 and 35. He is about 6-feet tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He has a thin build, thin mustache and an earring in his right ear. He was last seen wearing a white shirt with a blue design, blue pants, black croc shoes, multiple rings, a shell necklace and brown USS Iowa ball cap.

LAFD officials released images of the suspect.

Anyone with information about the fires or who can identify the suspect was asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.