Local News in Brief : Zarian’s Son Charged With Drunken Driving

A son of Glendale City Councilman Larry Zarian has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

Gregory William Zarian, 22, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol on the Ventura Freeway in Glendale at 4:45 a.m. on Oct. 25, authorities said. His blood-alcohol content measured at 0.14%, authorities said. Under California law, a driver is considered intoxicated when his blood-alcohol content is 0.10% or above.

Zarian was scheduled for arraignment Wednesday. However, his attorney Tuesday requested a continuance to Dec. 16.

The criminal proceeding is the second brought against Gregory Zarian this year. In May, he was convicted of misdemeanor grand theft for stealing $3,500 from Nordstrom department store in Glendale where he worked as a salesman. He was arrested last Feb. 27 and charged with the theft after store security personnel said they spotted him stealing $80 from a cash register.

Deputy Dist. Atty. John Bernardi said Zarian was using the money to buy cocaine.

A judge sentenced Zarian to a 30-day freeway work detail, placed him on three years probation, ordered him to repay Nordstrom within three years and ordered him into a drug rehabilitation program.

After the the December arraignment, a separate hearing will be held to determine if Zarian violated the terms of his parole. If his is found guilty of violating his parole, he faces a maximum 11 months in county jail, Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Hersh said.

If found guilty on the drunk-driving charge, Zarian could face an additional six months in county jail, Hersh said.