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Crime Scenes In 2 Counties Believed To Be Connected To Homicide Investigation

TUSTIN (CBSLA.com) — Detectives were investing multiple crime scenes in two counties Wednesday that were believed to be connected to a homicide.

The investigation began around 1 a.m. when a fire was reported at a residence in the 1200 block of Diamond Bar Boulevard in Diamond Bar, according to LASD's Nicole Nishida.

When firefighters arrived on scene, no residents were located.

Around 7:30 a.m., Tustin police received a tip stating a woman was headed to a relative's house in Orange County and that she may have killed her mother-in-law, officials said.

The suspect was located in a white Ford Explorer at Tustin Ranch Road and Greenway Drive, according to the LASD.

The driver was seen by witnesses being taken into custody.

"I saw the car pulled over that's still there now, and they had what it looked like a young Asian woman, and they were putting handcuffs on her. They were taking photos inside of the vehicle," witness Maxine Rutkowski said.

Several plastic bags were discovered inside the vehicle, but police have yet to search them because they are believed to be related to the incident in Diamond Bar under the LASD jurisdiction.

Plastic bags found in Tustin vehicle
(credit: CBS)

After obtaining a search warrant to pull a number of bags out of the vehicle., investigators say they found what appeared to be human body parts.

Detectives now must receive confirmation from the Coroner's office for a positive identification.

Diamond Bar fire
(credit: CBS)

Arson investigators, along with Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives, spent much of Wednesday afternoon searching the home, under the belief that the flames were deliberately set.

Occupants of neighboring structures, at least one of them needing to be rescued, were forced to evacuate their homes.

Police say they have had a difficult time communicating with the suspect, since her primary language appeared to be Korean.

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