Trending Topics

‘Exhibiting odd behavior': Calif. deputies arrest man armed with sword, starting brush fire

With Santa Barbara County deputies as their protection, firefighters moved into the area to battle the flames

US-NEWS-CALIF-DEPUTIES-PURSUIT-FIRE-MCT

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended an arson suspect with a sword while Santa Barbara County firefighters battled the blaze set by the suspect.

Handout/TNS

By Nathan Solis
Los Angeles Times

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — A man with a sword fleeing Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies started a brush fire during his attempt to get away, authorities said.

The wild sequence of events started when deputies received a report of a “suspect exhibiting odd behavior” on Wednesday at El Capitan Canyon Resort. While they were headed to the scene, the suspect tried to drive away on a dirt road, but his vehicle got stuck.

The suspect, later identified as 40-year-old Simon Khalili from Woodland Hills, then disappeared into a nearby canyon, the Sheriff’s Department announced in a news release.

A few minutes later, flames erupted from the area, the department said. Around the time the fire broke out, deputies looking for the suspect learned he was allegedly armed with a sword — which would pose a danger to firefighters who needed to attack the fire before it raced out of control.

With deputies as their protection, firefighters moved into the area to battle the flames while a helicopter dropped water on it from overhead, authorities said. A K9 unit was called in to help with the search and a helicopter oversaw the scene.

Khalili surrendered himself to deputies around 7:30 p.m., about two hours after the chase began, and they turned him over to authorities with California State Parks. The fire was stopped at roughly 1 acre about 10 minutes after Khalili was captured.

Khalili was booked into a county jail on suspicion of felony arson and misdemeanor trespassing, brandishing a weapon, and negligent fire setting, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

He’s being held in lieu of a $75,000 bail.

Trending
The number of people missing after the July 4 floods in Texas has dropped to just three as search efforts continue and officials praise rescuers for their progress
Jim Stanley, who joined the Lower St. Croix Valley Fire Department in 1978, leaves behind a department shaped by his leadership and community commitment
The new Utica Fire & Rescue will offer 24/7 fire and medical response, without EMS transport, as the township board rebuilds services following an interruption
Taylor officials, firefighters and community leaders gathered to mark the rededication of Station No. 2, part of a major renovation project enhancing living and working conditions for first responders

©2025 Los Angeles Times.
Visit at latimes.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.