DA drops Old Town Newhall fire charges
Four suspects remain in the case as the file returns to law enforcement for additional review.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office issued a decision on Monday, Nov. 2, regarding the arson investigation into the Old Town Newhall fire. Prosecutors declined to file charges against the four individuals previously arrested in connection with the incident.
The case has been returned to law enforcement for further investigation. The office did not provide a timeline for when investigators expect to complete that review or return the file. This procedural step allows authorities to gather more evidence before making a final decision on prosecution.
The fire began on Aug. 24 near the intersection of Market and Main streets in Santa Clarita. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported that flames destroyed or reached at least seven buildings. Total property damage was estimated at approximately $13 million.
Businesses confirmed as destroyed include the Newhall Refinery, the MAIN theater, and Care Tucker Style House. Other structures in the immediate area also sustained damage during the blaze.
The four named suspects are John Wright, 47, Cristian Leija, 43, Jesus Figueroa, 54, and Antoinette Ruiz, 35. Wright owns Gary's Auto Collision Center, a business that was damaged in the fire. The other three suspects were also identified during the initial investigation into the origin of the blaze.
