Suspect Charged with Arson for East Hollywood Double Apartment Fire
The LAFD Arson and Counterterrorism Unit Section (ACTS) and the Los Angeles Police Department have charged a man with starting a large blaze Monday morning.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was notified at 6:04 a.m. on June 12, 2017, of a structure fire at 421 N. Heliotrope Drive. Crews arrived to find two three-story apartment buildings under construction fully involved with fire.
Due to the aggressive and relentless investigation by the LAFD Arson and Counterterrorism Unit Section (ACTS) Investigators, the suspect was quickly identified and detained while still at the scene. Los Angeles resident, 20 year old Benicio Garcia, was charged in case BA458250 with two counts each of arson of an inhabited structure and arson of a structure. If convicted as charged he will face a possible maximum sentence of 12 years and four months in state prison.
The case remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.
