Parolee Accused Of Setting Fire To Hacienda Heights Church

HACIENDA HEIGHTS (CBS) — A parolee was charged Wednesday of arson in connection with a devastating fire at a Hacienda Heights church last year.

Gregory Yusuke Shiga, 34, was arrested Monday by detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's arson/explosives detail. Shiga was arrested at his Los Angeles home and charged with arson in the April 16, 2011 fire that destroyed the sanctuary of St. John Vianney Church, causing $6.5 million in damage.

Firefighters battled the blaze at the church, 1345 Turnbull Canyon Road, for about two and a half hours. Investigators later determined that the fire had been intentionally set.

Shiga is on parole and is being held without bail. He is due to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon. Prosecutors are asking that his bail be set at $1 million.

Charges against Shiga include arson, possession of flammable material and burglary. If convicted, Shiga faces up to 12 years to life in prison.

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