PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – A 63-year-old man faces charges of igniting multiple explosions in Pasadena over a two-year span, officials announced on Monday. Los Angeles County prosecutors leveled three felony counts of explosives with intent to harm or intimidate against Art Leon Berian, who was apprehended at the scene of an explosion last week.
The neighborhood surrounding Allen Avenue and Washington Boulevard has experienced over 150 explosions in the past two years, with 14 blasts occurring in the last two weeks alone. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in any of these incidents.
The explosions went unnoticed for some time but were brought to light thanks to ShotSpotter, a gunshot-detection system implemented by the City Council last year. Authorities uncovered two vehicles potentially linked to the explosions, both registered under the same owner.
On May 16, detectives gathering video evidence related to the explosions witnessed another blast near Allen and Washington, leading to Berian’s arrest as he was near the site in a BMW sedan. Police discovered evidence connected to the explosion inside the vehicle.
Details on the explosives used, including the type and quantity attributable to Berian, have not been immediately disclosed. Anyone with information on these events is encouraged to contact the Pasadena Police or report anonymously to “Crime Stoppers.” An interactive map displaying the explosion locations are available for reference.
Authorities continue to investigate the explosions in Pasadena, emphasizing the critical role of community cooperation in resolving such incidents. Efforts to ensure the safety and security of residents remain a top priority for local law enforcement agencies.