Authorities reported that Simon Khalili, 40, displayed odd behavior at El Capitan Canyon Resort before fleeing and igniting a brush fire. His attempts to escape led to a vehicle getting stuck, after which he disappeared into a canyon. The fire started around the same time as deputies learned of Khalili's sword, complicating firefighting efforts. Firefighters battled the blaze with protection from deputies and air support. Khalili surrendered after two hours, and he faces serious charges including felony arson and trespassing, with bail set at $75,000.
A man with a sword fleeing Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies started a brush fire during his attempt to get away, authorities said.
The wild sequence of events started when deputies received a report of a 'suspect exhibiting odd behavior' on Wednesday at El Capitan Canyon Resort.
Khalili surrendered himself to deputies around 7:30 p.m., about two hours after the chase began, and they turned him over to authorities.
He was booked into a county jail on suspicion of felony arson and misdemeanor trespassing, brandishing a weapon, and negligent fire setting.
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