STUDIO CITY—Transient, John Hasekian, 61, has been arrested for a series of fires set in Studio City on Friday, August 23.
Hasekian was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department Arson/Counter Terrorism Section at 9:00 a.m. Friday. Surveillance footage obtained from the area revealed to officials that Hasekian was a person of interest in the case. Hasekian was found near the vicinity of one of the fires two hours after the last one was set. He was detained and interviewed by arson investigators. During the interview process, investigators placed Hasekian under arrest for arson.
Hasekian was escorted by LAPD to the North Hollywood station where he was booked on arson charges. His bail is set at $51,000.
Firefighters responded to 11 fires reported in the Studio City between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. When firefighters arrived at the scene they discovered trash cans and dumpsters were set ablaze along Ventura Boulevard. Officials deemed the fires to be a significant threat to the surrounding community. Fire personnel extinguished fires that were set near one another quickly. Arson investigators were able to determine that the fires were intentionally set with the help of their accelerant detection canine “Blue.”
Hasekian was previously arrested for setting eight fires earlier this year. He was charged with Arson of Property and sentenced to one year in jail. ACTS will be working closely with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to present a felony case.
No injuries, structure damage, or fatalities were reported. Only one vehicle was damaged due to the fires set.
