"Authorities say Rinderknecht started a small fire, which became known as the Lachman Fire, on New Year's Day that smoldered underground before reigniting nearly a week later and roaring through Pacific Palisades. Federal agents say Rinderknecht is from central Florida but was familiar with the Pacific Palisades area. He had been staying at a home on Via La Costa in the Palisades Highlands that burned in the Jan. 7 fire."
"Rinderknecht started the Lachman Fire in the early morning hours of Jan. 1 after working as an Uber driver the night before, according to the federal criminal complaint. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said two of his passengers told law enforcement that he appeared agitated and angry that night. After he dropped off a passenger in the Pacific Palisades, Essayli said Rinderknecht parked his car and tried but failed to contact a former friend."
"Then, Rinderknecht exited his car, walked up a trail, took iPhone videos from a nearby hilltop and listened to a "rap song, whose music video included objects being lit on fire." Essayli said Rinderknecht listened to the song and watched the music video repeatedly in the days leading up to the Lachman Fire. After the Lachman Fire ignited, Rinderknecht called 911 to report the blaze but did not get service."
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is charged with sparking the Lachman Fire that smoldered underground after igniting on Jan. 1 and then reignited nearly a week later, spreading through Pacific Palisades. Federal agents say he is from central Florida and had been staying at a Via La Costa home that burned on Jan. 7. The complaint says he worked as an Uber driver the night before, appeared agitated, parked in Pacific Palisades, attempted to contact a former friend, recorded videos from a hilltop, repeatedly watched a music video depicting fires, called 911 without service, fled, then returned to watch the blaze.
Read at 6abc Philadelphia
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