On Dec. 18, 42-year-old Ricardo Villanueva was detained for an unrelated traffic violation by Van Nuys police officers, and Villanueva was recognized by the officers from a wanted flyer from Major Crimes Division Detectives.

Firefighters are investigating a series of arsons in Sherman Oaks that officials say are connected. Crews responded to three different fires Tuesday night into Wednesday, including a carport fire at a Sherman Oaks apartment complex that destroyed at least five cars.

Fire officials said arson and police investigators are looking at whether the man may be also responsible for suspected arson fires in the Sherman Oaks area earlier this week, including at an apartment complex where authorities say five vehicles in a carport were destroyed and two apartment units were damaged.