STUDIO CITY—The Los Angeles Fire Department announced that on Tuesday, August 27 that John Hasekian, 61, is facing two counts of arson of a structure and 10 counts of arson of property. He has been accused of setting 11 fires that were set last week in Studio City.
On Friday, August 23 between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., firefighters responded to a dumpster fire on the 11300 block of West Ventura Boulevard and 10 other fires nearby taking place in dumpsters, trash cans and cars.
Hasekian, who is transient has been accused of causing the fires last week. He was identified by surveillance cameras near the location of the fires. Earlier in the year, Hasekian was arrested and charged for arson of property and he was sentenced to one year in jail.
There were no reports of any injuries during any of the fires. Firefighters did say that the fires posed a risk since they were set while many were still sleeping. One fire was set near a gas station. One vehicle was heavily damaged as a result of the fire.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported on its website that August 27, four days after the incidents in question, the LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section filed a felony criminal complaint with the Targeted Crimes Section of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The case is under investigation. Hasekian’s bail was set at $700,000. According to officials, his preliminary hearing is slated to occur in the next 7-10 days.
Written by Sanestina Hunter and Christianne McCormick
