A video circulating online depicts security officials detaining an individual on the street, accompanied by claims that a Hindu man named Bhuvesh Patel was arrested for attempting to start a fire using a torch blower in order to loot areas affected by wildfires in Woodland Hills, CA. These claims are entirely false and misleading. The individual arrested has been identified as 33-year-old Juan Sierra, he is not Indian and Hindu.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) anti-India propaganda account @sicar10_ wrote, “Pajeet, Bhuvesh Patel (Hindu) was caught trying to start a fire with torch blower for looting in areas devastated by fires 
Serial fake news peddler and propagandist account @CrimesDigest also shared the video and wrote. “Hindu Pajet, Bhuvesh Patel was caught trying to start a fire with torch blower for looting in areas devastated by fires.
The truth behind the claims, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the video and claims. We found that the arrested individual was not Bhuvesh Patel, but Juan Sierra.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found several reports regarding the incident. According to the reports (1, 2, 3, 4), The individual arrested has been identified as 33-year-old Juan Sierra, who was apprehended by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division after being observed attempting to ignite a fire. Reports indicate that Sierra has not been charged with arson but instead faces charges related to a felony probation violation. Additionally, Juan Sierra is not a member of the Hindu community.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the claims about an Indian man being caught for igniting a fire in Woodland Hills were false and baseless.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 12, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video circulating online shows security officials detaining an individual, with claims that a Hindu man named Bhuvesh Patel was caught attempting to start a fire with a torch blower to loot areas affected by fires in Woodland Hills, CA. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/O2Jjy6kUkH
Intent
Extremist propagandists are circulating videos from the USA with misleading claims to set their narrative against a particular community.
Conclusion
Claim– Hindu man Bhuvesh Patel was caught attempting to start a fire with a torch blower in Woodland Hills, CA.
Fact– The individual arrested has been identified as 33-year-old Juan Sierra, he is not Indian and Hindu.
