Suspected pyro caught on camera setting SoCal mall fires tried take officer’s gun, cops says

An alleged firebug accused of setting multiple fires inside the popular Ontario Mills mall tried to take an officer’s gun as police took him into custody, authorities said.

Luis Javier Gallegos Jr., 28, of Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested after disturbing video appeared to show him torch a True Religion store inside the mall, as part of a series of fires set in the popular shopping destination.

Cops in the video are seen grappling with the suspect, pushing his head into the floor as they place him in handcuffs while shoppers watch in disbelief.   

Gallegos was charged with felony arson, resisting arrest, making criminal threats and trying to take an officer’s gun during the scuffle.

“During the encounter, Gallegos did not comply with officers and a use of force occurred,” police said in a statement to KTLA.

His bail has been set at $1,000,000 and he’s currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center.

The fires forced the mall to be evacuated and remain closed for the rest of the day Friday. With 28 million annual visitors, Ontario Mills is known as one of the top shopping destinations in California.

Ontario Fire Department Battalion Chief Scot Roeber said firefighters were called to the mall just before 11 a.m. and arrived to find fires burning inside several stores.

“First arriving companies found several fires in different stores in one immediate area inside the mall,” Rober said.  “All of those fires were suspicious, and they have all been extinguished,” he added.  

Gallegos’ next court date is set for April 14 at the Rancho Superior Court.

The Ontario mall fire is the second major blaze in the city in recent days.

The dramatic alleged arson at Ontario Mills struck a community already rattled by the massive Kimberly-Clarke warehouse arson that occurred less than 10 miles away on Tuesday.

Rober said there is no evidence the two fires are linked but an investigation is ongoing.

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