Pasadena Man Faces 18 Felony Counts Of Arson-Related Charges
ALHAMBRA (CBSLA.com) — A man accused of being connected to over two dozen arson-related incidents in the Pasadena area was charged Wednesday with 18 felony counts.
Javier Adolfo Viera, 35, is scheduled to be arraigned on 10 counts of arson of a structure or forest, six counts of arson of property of another and two counts of attempting or aiding in an attempt to burn a structure, forest or property.
The married father of three was identified during an investigation into 21 incidents of arson and attempted arson in the City of South Pasadena, and four incidents in Pasadena since mid- November, South Pasadena Police said.
The incidents started as small vegetation fires and escalated to fires involving parked vehicles, with one involving the exterior door to a business, according to police.
Investigators with South Pasadena Fire and Pasadena Fire joined forces with the West San Gabriel Valley Anti- Crime Task Force to investigate these fires and identify any suspects.
"During the investigation, we located several of the incendiary devices that didn't ignite," South Pasadena Police Det. William Earley said. "One of those we were able to get fingerprints off of."
Police were conducting surveillance on Viera on Sunday when he was arrested for a car fire in the 6100 block of Oak Hill in Los Angeles.
The suspect admitted responsibility for a majority of the fires, according to Earley.
"He was adamant that he did not want to hurt anyone," said Earley.
A search of Viera's home resulted in the recovery of corroborating evidence, police said.
RELATED STORY: Pasadena Arson Suspect Linked To Over Two Dozen Fires
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