Four Suspects Released After DA Asks for More Time in $13M Newhall Arson
Prosecutors declined to charge the men and women arrested last week in the blaze that destroyed a 100-year-old commercial complex.
By Karan Grant ·
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office asked the sheriff’s department to continue investigating the Old Town Newhall arson, and four arrested suspects were released without charges. Jesus Figueroa was freed Monday afternoon, while John Wright and Cristian Leija were also expected to be released from custody. Antoinette Ruiz had already been released on Friday.
The four individuals were booked on suspicion of arson and conspiracy following a fire that caused an estimated $13 million in damage. A spokeswoman for the DA’s Office stated that prosecutors need additional time to determine if criminal charges are warranted against the group.
The blaze began in the auto body shop portion of a historic business complex on the 24000 block of North Main Street. Firefighters responded at 2:55 a.m. on Aug. 24. By 8 a.m., the flames were largely extinguished, but crews continued to pour water on the smoldering structures. The fire department spokesman, Keith Navarre, said the fire pretty much consumed the whole commercial building.
The complex housed the MAIN Theatre, Newhall Refinery restaurant, and Gary’s Collision Center. The structure was more than 100 years old. Sheriff’s Arson/Explosives Detail investigators worked with county fire officials to determine the origin and cause. The fire started in the auto body shop owned by one of the suspects.
John Wright, 47, is the owner of Gary’s Collision Center. He lives in Canyon Country. Cristian Leija, 43, and Antoinette Ruiz, 35, both live in El Monte. Jesus Figueroa, 54, also lives in Canyon Country. Wright and Figueroa were arrested Thursday. Ruiz was released on Friday. Figueroa was released Monday afternoon.
Wright was arrested by a sheriff’s surveillance and apprehension team. Figueroa was booked in San Dimas by Major Crimes Bureau investigators. Detectives served search warrants at four locations in Los Angeles County on Thursday, which led to the arrests. No details were released about how investigators identified the suspects.
The DA’s Office said it requested additional investigation. The four suspects were not charged. The next step is for the sheriff’s department to complete its review of the evidence and determine if the case should be referred back to prosecutors for filing.
Source: MyNewsLA (City News Service)
