Overview

• Former University of Kentucky receiver Scott Mitchell and partner Davanah DiMarco spotted a burning palm tree on July 13 and led the citizen pursuit of the suspect.
• The man was identified as 43-year-old Andrew Wistic O’Calliham, who on video admitted to igniting the blaze and falsely claimed to be a fire marshal.
• Los Angeles Fire Department aerial teams and 53 ground firefighters contained the quarter-acre brush fire within an hour of dispatch.
• State park rangers and LAPD officers arrested the suspect after hikers held him at the scene and booked him on suspicion of arson upon forest land.
• Video of the chase circulated widely online, drawing public attention and aiding authorities in confirming the suspect’s identity.