Suspect linked to Palisades fire had recent run-ins with police, video shows

Florida police release footage of Palisades Fire suspect's prior run-in

The Florida man charged with starting January’s Palisades Fire in Los Angeles had previous encounters with law enforcement before his arrest, according to newly released video and records. Prosecutors allege Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, maliciously set the Lachman Fire just after midnight on January 1, which smoldered underground until it was rekindled by Santa Ana winds on January 7, becoming the larger and far more destructive Palisades Fire. Pr…

Suspect linked to Palisades fire had recent run-ins with police, video shows

The man federally charged with causing the devastating 2025 Palisades fire had multiple run-ins with police for traffic and car-related issues in the months prior to his federal arrest.According to newly released body camera footage obtained by Scripps News, Palm Bay police twice pulled over Jonathan Rinderknecht for speeding in Florida in August and September.They also confronted him once in August after a caller said his vehicle seemed suspici…