Man charged with attempted arson in Playa del Rey gas leak
A 22-year-old man was charged Thursday with four felony counts, including attempted arson and grand theft auto, related to a natural gas leak earlier this week at a storage facility in Playa del Rey.
James Viramonte Cogley of the west Los Angeles area pleaded not guilty to one count each of attempted arson, grand theft auto, unlawful taking of a vehicle and vandalism in excess of $400, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said.
Prosecutors allege that Cogley entered the Southern California Gas Co. facility on Monday, damaged electrical panels and drove a truck inside the facility over a gas valve. The valve was damaged by the truck and released pressure, causing a loud screeching noise that alarmed nearby residents, Gas Co. officials said at the time.
The truck was discovered with its engine running on top of the valve. A Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad was sent to the scene.
“The damage done to the electrical panels indicated he was attempting to set them on fire,” district attorney spokesman Ricardo Santiago said.
Cogley then allegedly stole a pickup truck and left the facility. The pickup truck was discovered about a mile away, where it had crashed against a parked car, prosecutors said.
Cogley was not affiliated with the utility, Santiago said.
A representative for the gas company had initially said the leak was caused by a contractor’s truck.
Cogley faces up to five years in county jail or prison, officials said. He has posted $200,000 bail.
Twitter: @MattStevensLAT
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
