A 48-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of felony arson after allegedly setting three fires in Los Angeles, including one at a strip club.
The Fires and Charges
According to a March 20 news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Cyrus Farsaad is accused of setting three fires in the Los Angeles area:
- March 2: Farsaad allegedly set fire to an electrical vault in a warehouse in the Fashion District in downtown Los Angeles. The fire was initially self-extinguished, but Farsaad reportedly returned on March 8 and set fire to the vault again. This time, the fire spread, though there were no major damages or injuries.
- March 5: Farsaad allegedly set fire to a gentlemen’s club in Canoga Park, a neighborhood in west Los Angeles. This fire caused significant charring, heat, and smoke damage, but no one was injured.
Farsaad has been charged with one felony count of arson of property and two felony counts of arson of structure.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Farsaad was arrested and charged, and he pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on March 19. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 7.
If convicted, Farsaad faces up to 14 years and 4 months in prison.
He is currently held in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles, with a $200,000 bond.
Authorities’ Statements
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman expressed concern about the dangers posed by serial arsonists, emphasizing that they endanger lives and property. He commended the efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for their quick actions in apprehending Farsaad.
LAFD Chief Thomas Raymond also commented on the severity of serial arson, saying, “It is a direct threat to civilian lives and to every firefighter we send in to stop it.”
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, it is unclear whether Farsaad has legal representation. The LAPD and LAFD have not yet commented further on the case.
