Uber driver charged with Pacific Palisades arson
A 29-year-old Uber drvier has been arrested on suspicion of igniting a blaze that eventually led to the Palisades fire, federal authorities announced at a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 8, as reported by The Los Angeles Daily News’ Crime and Public Safety.
The mounumental blaze killed 12 people and damaged or destroyed thousands of structures during an uncommon windstorm that swept through Southern California last January.
Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli announced that Jonathan Rinderknecht was charged in a federal complaint with starting the Lachman fire in Pacific Palisades, on New Year’s Day. Rinderknecht was arrested October 7th.
Witnesses told authorities he was driving for Uber that night and appeared “agitated and angry,” Essayli said. Rinderknecht allegedly listened to a French rap song, with an accompanying music video showing objects burning, several times in the days leading up to the fire.
Rinderknecht is charged with destruction of property by means of fire. If convicted as charged, he would face five to 25 years in federal prison.
