Arleta Man Held in Acid Blinding of Van Nuys Driver
An Arleta man has been arrested on suspicion of blinding a motorist with acid during a robbery attempt in September, authorities said Saturday.
Henry Gregory Tristan, 42, was arrested Friday on suspicion of throwing acid at Andres Chaidez, 22, of Van Nuys, after Chaidez refused to give him money.
Tristan is scheduled for arraignment Monday at Van Nuys Municipal Court on three felony counts of aggravated mayhem, assault with a caustic chemical and robbery, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Smalstig. If convicted, Tristan faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Tristan, who has been in jail periodically since 1964, was identified as a suspect through fingerprints and witness accounts, said Los Angeles Police Detective Paul Stewart. He was arrested Friday in Arleta after a police officer recognized him on the street.
After the Sept. 5 incident, Chaidez told police that he was approached by a stranger who demanded money for gasoline. When Chaidez refused to give him money, he said, the man threw a white liquid in his face.
Authorities later determined that the liquid was sulfuric acid, a colorless, highly corrosive chemical used in the manufacture of paints, dyes, fertilizer and explosives.
Chaidez suffered third-degree burns over 24% of his body and was permanently blinded by the attack, Smalstig said.
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