A man with a significant criminal history involving arson has been arrested for allegedly burglarizing a vacant property in Glendale and attempting arson, police said Wednesday.
Officers responded to 1642 S. Central Ave. at about 8 p.m. on May 8 regarding an in-progress burglary at a residence that had been red-tagged and deemed unsafe after a fire a week earlier, according to the Glendale Police Department.
Police said Clarence Schiebel, 56, was at the front of the property when officers arrived and had to be “physically detained” after refusing to comply with their commands.
Further investigation of the property allegedly led officers to discover a Pennzoil jug containing gasoline, a possible flammable liquid on the living room floor and two lighters in Schiebel’s possession.
Police said Schiebel had an outstanding $200,000 felony arson warrant issued by the Los Angeles Police Department, and a significant criminal history, including multiple arrests and convictions for arson.
“He has served several terms in state prison and is a registered arson offender,” the police department said in a statement.
The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which filed charges against Schiebel for burglary, attempted arson, and possession of flammable or combustible material.
Schiebel was held on $1.7 million bail.