DA delays charges in $13 million Newhall arson case

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office asked for additional time on Monday to determine whether to charge four people in connection with a destructive fire in Santa Clarita. Prosecutors declined to file immediate charges against the suspects, who were arrested the previous week.

A spokeswoman for the district attorney said the office requested the sheriff's department to conduct further investigation. The decision leaves the case in a procedural hold while detectives gather more evidence. This delay follows the arrests of John Wright, 47; Cristian Leija, 43; Jesus Figueroa, 54; and Antoinette Ruiz, 35.

All four individuals were booked on suspicion of arson and conspiracy. The fire, which occurred on Aug. 24, caused an estimated $13 million in damage to the Old Town Newhall commercial district. Wright owns Gary's Collision Center, one of the businesses located in the complex. Figueroa and Wright reside in Canyon Country, while Ruiz and Leija live in El Monte.

Jail records show Ruiz was released from custody on Friday. Figueroa was released on Monday afternoon. Wright and Leija are expected to be released soon. Records indicate a surveillance team arrested Wright, while Major Crimes Bureau investigators booked Figueroa in San Dimas.

Detectives responded to the 24000 block of Main Street at 3 a.m. on Aug. 24 to investigate a structure fire involving seven buildings. Firefighters arrived at 2:55 a.m. and called a second alarm at 3:07 a.m. and a third alarm at 4:42 a.m. The blaze started in the auto body shop and spread to historic structures, including the MAIN Theatre and the Newhall Refinery restaurant.

Fire department spokesman Keith Navarre stated that the fire pretty much consumed the whole commercial building. One hundred twelve firefighters and 58 pieces of apparatus responded to the scene. Crews used aerial ladder trucks to surround and drown the flames to protect nearby structures. An excavator was used to knock down smoldering buildings by 8 a.m.

Wright had lost a court case regarding unpaid rent to the property owner days before the fire. The Signal reported that Wright owed more than $50,000 in back rent and was ordered to pay or vacate. Wright disputed the amount and denied involvement in the blaze. A previous fire at another Wright-run shop on July 30, 2025, was also under investigation. The sheriff's department has not released details on how investigators identified the suspects.