Arsonist steps out of van, lights taco truck on fire in downtown Los Angeles 

An arsonist was caught on video setting a taco truck on fire in downtown L.A., and the owner tells KTLA this isn’t the first time it’s happened. 

The arson fire was first reported around 2:15 a.m. Monday at Danny’s Tacos, which was parked near 4^th and Hill streets, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.  

The reporting party was the owner of the food truck, LAPD confirmed, adding that they took an arson report but did not immediately make an arrest. 

Abel, the owner, spoke with KTLA early Monday morning and provided surveillance footage of the suspect stepping out of the passenger side of a van and lighting a fire underneath the truck. The timestamp of the video indicates the fire was set just before 1:40 a.m. 

He had installed the camera that caught the act just days before, he said.  

“I saw that a blue van stopped next to [the truck], then somebody got down and went into the generator on the side and lit it on fire,” Abel explained. “Honestly, I have no idea [why this happened] and it also happened last year.” 

A person was taken into custody in connection with the first incident, Abel added. He is unsure whether the people targeting his truck are customers, transients or complete strangers.

Since he can’t stop working, the food truck owner says that all he can do in the meantime is remain extra vigilant when it comes to his livelihood. 

“Obviously, it’s scary to know that you have to be careful,” he lamented. “I have to be aware and look around every time I’m working.” 

Abel believes that the damage to his truck totals at least $4,000, if not more. 

KTLA photojournalist Jose Alvarado contributed to this report.