Los Angeles County Fire Department Firefighters and Irwindale Police Officers responded to the San Gabriel River, south of Huntington Drive, this morning regarding a vehicle fire.
On arrival, they found an unoccupied Jeep SUV that was fully engulfed in fire. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and the officers subsequent investigation revealed the Jeep had been stolen in the city of Azusa earlier in the day.
Our officers subsequently worked with investigators from fire department's Arson/Fire Investigations Unit (AFIU) who were able to identify the suspect.
Matthew Thomas Dyer, 46 of Pasadena, was later detained and arrested on suspicion of felony arson. He was booked at the jail and was later released on a citation per the county's "Zero Bail" policy.
The stolen vehicle was towed from the scene and will be released to the rightful owner.
Thank you to the community members who provided information and tips to the arson investigators, leading to the identification and arrest of this suspect.