A 28-year-old Rancho Cucamonga man, Luis Javier Gallegos Jr., was arrested Friday after setting multiple fires inside the Ontario Mills mall, forcing an evacuation. Police responded to reports of a man with a lighter and backpack igniting fires in several stores around 10:30 a.m.
Officers found Gallegos inside a shop and attempted to arrest him, but he did not comply, leading to a use of force. Both Gallegos and an officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries. After medical treatment, Gallegos was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on felony arson charges.
Fire crews extinguished the flames, and explosive detection K-9 teams swept the mall as a precaution. No additional threats were found. The mall remained closed for the day.
Police are investigating a possible connection between this incident and the April 7 arson at the Kimberly-Clark warehouse, which caused $500 million in damages. Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, faces state and federal arson charges for that fire, having filmed himself setting it while criticizing wages.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the mall fires. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ontario Police Department at (909) 986-6711.