A man was arrested in connection to a series of explosions that were set off in a Pasadena neighborhood for nearly two years, police said.
According to the Pasadena Police Department, there had been more than 150 explosions in the area of Allen Ave. and Washington Blvd. In the last two weeks, 14 explosions were reported near the area.
A woman who heard the explosions recently described the sounds to KNX News’ Jon Baird.
“It felt like someone was lifting a big heavy furniture and dropping it repeatedly, but after 9 p.m. at night,” she said. “Something like that over and over. It wasn't a rhythmic sound. It was just kind of ‘Boom! Boom!’”
Pasadena Fire Arson Investigator and the department’s Robbery/Homicide Unit were able to identify two cars that were involved in the explosions that also had the same registered owner, 632-year-old Art Leon Berian.
On May 16, after gathering video of an explosion connected to the case, detectives heard “a loud explosion and observed a white cloud in front of them,” according to the department.
“Detectives canvassed the area and observed Berian’s 2013 BMW pulling up to the area of the explosion,” Lieutenant Keith Gomez with the Pasadena Police Department said.
Berian was arrested and booked at Pasadena City jail. His bail was set at $1.5 million. He was charged with three felony counts of explosives with intent to injure or intimidate.
Anyone with information regarding the explosions was urged to call the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
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