At 1:50AM EST today, authorities were alerted to a fire in the parking lot of Ontario’s Azure Hotel & Suites. Firefighters responded nine minutes, and were able to put out the fire by 2:04AM. According to authorities, the fire was caused by arson targeting one car, which then spread to six adjacent vehicles.
The Press Enterprise also reported on a statement by Ontario Police Lt. David McBride, which was issued by phone. According to the publication, McBride confirmed that police reviewed evidence, which included security footage of the parking lot. The authorities were able to identify 27-year-old Riverside, ON resident Matthew Masumi Toyotome.
McBride stated that the suspect is acquainted with the owner of the targeted vehicle. According to Press Enterprise, Toyotome was arrested without incident at his home, and booked on charges of suspected arson.
Later in the day, cosplayer Julia Moreno Jenkins posted a GoFundMe seeking $25,000 to replace her vehicle. In the account, she posted an image of the burned-out car, along with the following comment:
While I was attending Anime Los Angeles, my car was targeted and set on fire by an obsessed stalker who specifically set my car on fire. I only had liability insurance, so my insurance will not cover me and I got it for $27,000. It was a really good working 2015 Subaru Outback. I appreciate everyone who has helped be here for me during this ordeal, and thank you all for encouraging me to go through with starting a go fund me. I can’t say thank you enough for the cosplay community being so supportive and helpful to me in just every way. Thank you everyone, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Anime Los Angeles was held at the Ontario Convention Center and DoubleTree Ontario Airport Hotel over the weekend. The Azure Hotel & Suites was one of the officially partnered hotels for the event.
Sources: Press Enterprise, GoFundMe (Thanks to Ashley Hakker for the tip)
Suspect Arrested in Arson Fire at Anime Los Angeles Hotel – Samantha Ferreira
