On March 11, 2017, the Azusa Police Department and APU Campus Safety received word that there was a fire on West Campus. Upon arrival to the scene, Azusa PD found that a grass fire had been set and was currently burning. It covered “approximately 20 yards in length and width,” according to official reports by the Azusa Police Department.
Jesus Moreno (31) is the suspect in question; he was caught nearby wearing burnt clothes. Moreno’s shirt was singed by the flames on his right side. When Moreno spoke with police, he told them that his action of lighting the fire was intentional. Moreno said that he needed a place to stay and knew that officials would take him away due to his arson attempt.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department subdued the fire within minutes. Moreno was not injured in the incident but he was arrested for a felony charge of arson. Moreno’s bail was set at $50,000 and his court appearance is pending.