Attempted Arson Suspect Apprehended at Vacant Residence

May 14, 2025

GLENDALE, CA - On May 8, 2025, at approximately 7:56 PM, Glendale Police officers responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress at a vacant property located at 1642 S. Central Avenue. The property had previously been red-tagged and deemed unsafe after being destroyed by fire the week prior.

A male subject was seen inside the location. Upon arrival, officers located Clarence Schiebel at the front of the property. Schiebel was noncompliant and had to be physically detained. A Pennzoil jug containing gasoline was found nearby.

As officers cleared the property, they detected a strong odor of fresh gasoline and observed liquid on the living room floor. Schiebel was also found in possession of two lighters at the time of his arrest.

Schiebel had an outstanding $200,000 felony arson warrant issued by the Los Angeles Police Department. He has 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 case was submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which filed the following charges:

· Attempted Arson

· Possession of Flammable/Combustible Material

· Burglary

Schiebel was remanded into the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

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About the Glendale Police Department

Established in 1906, the Glendale Police Department is a full-service police department with approximately 450 total staff members, including nearly 300 sworn police officers. The Glendale Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety services through proactive policing, professionalism, and community partnerships.

Assignments include Patrol, Traffic, Investigations Bureau, Narcotics, SWAT, Motorcycles, K-9, School Resource Officer, Custody, Dispatch, and Air Support. Police Department responsibilities include 9-1-1 emergency response, proactive law enforcement, traffic enforcement and collision investigation, crime investigation and case preparation, community and school policing, and administration of the city jail facility.

For more information, visit GlendaleCA.gov/Police or follow @GlendalePoliceDept on Instagram and @GlendalePD on Facebook and X.

Media Contact: Sgt. Barajas | Office: 818-937-8888 | Email: GPDPIO@GlendaleCA.gov