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Bakersfield native chases down arson suspect in southern California

Posted at 12:53 PM, Dec 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-09 15:52:59-05

A Bakersfield native helped stop a suspected arsonist in southern California earlier this week.

Josh Vietti of Bakersfield was interviewed after he stopped that suspected arsonist. 

"I heard rustling in the bushes, and I had my dog with me, so I just tied my dog to the fire hydrant and ran up the hill," Vietti told KTLA 5 News. 

Vietti chased the suspect for approximately half-mile. 

He ran approximately half a mile before cornering the suspect, holding him there until police arrived. 

He said he has many friends who are currently displaced because of the Thomas fire. 

According to the report, the police said Vietti was a huge help to stopping that suspect. 

Vietti is the son of Pastor Ron Vietti who spoke with 23ABC earlier this week. 

SEE MORE: Local church with a satellite campus in Ventura opens doors for evacuees

Their church in Ventura has been helping victims of the Thomas fire. 

According to the report, police did a thorough search of the area and did not find any other suspects. At the time, officials had detained the suspect, but he had not been arrested.