Mysterious explosions — 150 in two years — lead to arrest in California, cops say
A man accused of setting off more than 150 explosions in two years has been arrested, California police reported.
Art Leon Berian, 63, of Pasadena faces charges of using explosives with intent to injure or intimidate, Pasadena police said in a Monday, May 20, news release.
More than 150 explosions have been set off near Allen Avenue and Washington Boulevard in the city in the past two years, police said.
Most were detected with ShotSpotter technology using devices designed to pick up the sound of gunshots, police said.
Investigators identified two vehicles registered to Berian involved in the explosions, police said.
At 11:30 a.m. May 16, officers investigating some of the 14 explosions in the past two weeks heard another blast, police said.
They spotted a white cloud of smoke and a 2013 BMW, one of the vehicles, pulling up to the scene of the explosion, police said.
Officers arrested Berian and a search of his vehicle found evidence related to the explosions, police said. He is being held on $1.5 million bail.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the explosions, police said. They did not describe the devices used or provide a motive for the explosions.
Police ask anyone with information to call 626-744-4241 or leave an anonymous tip at 800-222-8477.
Pasadena is about a 10-mile drive northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
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