Brian J. White and his neighbors foiled a suspected arsonist amid the Los Angeles fires

“My first thought was, whatever’s going on out there, it’s not going to affect my wife and my daughter.”

During the Los Angeles conflagration, Brian J. White utilized his action hero pack to apprehend a suspected arsonist. The actor from Criminal Minds reportedly intervened on Thursday (Jan. 9) and apprehended a suspect who was purportedly carrying a blowtorch in the Woodland Hills, according to Deadline. 

In an interview with the publication, White described how he and his neighbors conducted a citizen arrest, restraining the individual until the police arrived on the scene. 

White remembered observing adjacent fires from their residence and subsequently concluding that it was time to evacuate his family. Nevertheless, White’s life was abruptly altered when he heard a disturbance outside his residence and discovered his neighbor screaming at an individual who was attempting to ignite the actor’s garbage.

“We were in the process of packing up when suddenly, I heard a scream, ‘Put it down, put it down,’ emanating from the front of our house,” White recollected. “I believed that someone was in possession of a firearm, and my neighbor was under duress. Consequently, my daughter fled to the closet, and I hurried upstairs to assist my neighbor.”

Brian, along with two neighbors, pursued the suspect and subsequently surrounded them, in an effort to ascertain his motivations and ask questions. White then clarified that they intended to conduct a “citizen’s arrest” after the suspect became more aggressive.

White further stated, “He subsequently became extremely hostile when questioned about his activities in this location.” “He stated that he was in search of a location to socialize.” We are of the opinion that this is not the appropriate location to congregate… In one garage, two of our neighbors are repairing vehicles. In another garage, they have a small amount of rope and zip ties. Consequently, we apprehended him, detained him, and awaited the arrival of the authorities. Approximately seven minutes after we made the call, sixteen cruisers arrived, and the remaining ships are featured in the news.

White’s assertions are corroborated by the video of the incident, which was provided to LiveNOW by FOX. The video depicts the suspect being apprehended by the neighbors. The individual was apprehended for felon probation violation, as the LAPD did not have sufficient evidence to charge him with arson, despite the fact that they arrived on the scene late to make the arrest.

In the case of Brian J. White, he maintained that his acting resume, which included roles in films such as Ghost Whisperer, Dirty, The Shield, and 12 Rounds, had led him to undergo training that, unknowingly, had prepared him for such occasions.

White continued, “We needed to determine whether he had any weapons on him and whether we were in danger.” “We endeavored to maintain composure, and when the situation escalated into physical altercation, we made every effort to ensure that it was resolved expeditiously. Consequently, we requested assistance from our neighbors in the form of zip ties and ropes.” Therefore, I am grateful to all those who have instructed me in the art of combat, firefighting, and police work in order to equip me with the necessary skills to handle situations such as this.

“When I immediately charged outside, I believed that he was armed.” White recalls, “My wife and daughter were frightened, and as a result, my daughter fled to the closet, where she wept for hours. “My initial reaction was that the situation outside would not have an impact on my wife and daughter; I would handle it.” That is my immediate response, and it brings me a sense of satisfaction. It brings me joy to know that all of the residents who assisted and responded reacted in this manner. Additionally, it provides me with a sense of security in our community to recognize that the residents of this area prioritize one another rather than themselves. They are prepared to assume a small amount of risk or damage in order to advance the greater good. And that is the essence of community, family, and extended family.