The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of a troubled car-shop owner and three alleged accomplices in connection with the Main Fire in Newhall, which caused approximately $13 million in property damage, according to LASD officials.
The Main Fire tore through much of the 24300 block of Main Street in the early morning hours of Aug. 24, starting at Gary’s Auto Collision, and burning a boutique just south of it and burning to El Trocadero at the end of the block.
The department’s Arson/Explosives Detail announced Thursday evening that they believe the owner of Gary’s, John Wright, is one of four people responsible. The other three suspects included: Jesus Figueroa, a 54-year-old Canyon Country man; Antoinette Ruiz, a 35-year-old from El Monte; and Cristian Leija, 43, also of El Monte.
All four were arrested on suspicion of arson and conspiracy, according to the LASD announcement.
The fire left “a hole in the heart of the community,” as Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste put it recently, taking out the city’s theater, The Main, and destroying seven structures, according to a news release from the Arson/Explosives Detail.
The head of the unit credited the team’s “relentless efforts” on the investigation in a statement.
“I am extremely proud of the dedication, professionalism and relentless efforts of our Arson and Explosives Detail investigators,” Capt. Robbie Royster said in the written statement. “Since the day of the fire, they have worked tirelessly to uncover the facts and pursue every investigative lead. Today’s developments are a testament to their hard work and commitment to holding those responsible accountable.”
A Sheriff’s Department official said on background that no other information would be released at this time, as the case is part of an active investigation, and “there are a lot of moving parts.”
The Signal reported in August, shortly after the fire, that Wright was facing financial difficulty with rent in the months prior to the fire.
An attorney representing the owner of the property that Wright leased indicated that, just days prior to the incident, Wright had been dealt a blow in court regarding unpaid rent at the shop’s address. The Arson/Explosive Unit previously identified the shop as the location where the fire started.
Wright denied any involvement in the fire in an interview with The Signal shortly after the incident.
Court records indicated that the property was facing a court order claiming more than $50,000 in back rent and fees at that location, along with a pay-rent-or-quit notice, according to court records. Wright said he was disputing the amount owed.
It’s also the second location that Wright has had that ended up burned to the ground.
On July 30, 2025, Halsey’s Auto Shop, at 27565 Sierra Highway, burned down. In a previous interview, Wright said he received insurance payment for his tools that were lost in the blaze, declining to give the claim amount.
A member of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Arson and Explosives Detail confirmed the fire at Halsey’s was referred to the unit for investigation. The cause of that fire remains undetermined, according to the official.
“The Sheriff’s Department recognizes the significant impact this fire has had on affected property owners, local businesses and the surrounding Santa Clarita community,” according to a statement in the LASD Nixle on behalf of the department. “We remain committed to conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation, pursuing all available leads, and working closely with our community partners to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Anyone with information regarding the Main Street fire can contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Arson/Explosives Unit at 323-881-7500. Anyone who would prefer to provide information anonymously can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use a smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.
