Crime
Arson suspect Jose Carranza-Escobar arrested at Pioneer Park in Azusa
Brush fire incident at Pioneer Park leads to Arrest On Friday, January 10, 2025 at approximately 11:37pm, officers were dispatched to Pioneer Park, located at 1360 N. Dalton Ave., in response to a reported brush fire.
Upon arrival, a witness alerted officers that the individual responsible for igniting the fire was still at the scene.
Officers located the adult male suspect, identified as Jose Carranza-Escobar, a transient, with a last known address in Azusa standing next to the flames.
Officers quickly detained Carranza as Los Angeles County Fire arrived to extinguish the fire.
Los Angeles County Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. During the investigation, Carranza admitted to starting the fire and was arrested for Arson.
He was subsequently booked at the Azusa Police Department Jail and is currently being held in custody.
City of Azusa Public Works along with Azusa Light and Water are currently assessing the damage caused by the fire.
The investigation is ongoing. Azusa PD urges everyone to remain alert as fires continue to affect the county. We must be cautious of individuals who may enter our community with the intent to start fires.
The Azusa Police Department has staffed extra officers on duty due to the ongoing fire situation.
We are taking a “zero tolerance” stance on these types of criminal acts. The Azusa PD will continue to work with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, the California Army National Guard and all of our partner agencies to ensure our community’s and residents’ safety.
This investigation will be presented promptly to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing on all applicable criminal charges.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200 or to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.