Southland : Suspect in O.C. Arson Arrested
Police today arrested a suspected arsonist who is suspected of having set fire to a bikini shop after burglarizing the store.
The building that once housed Jack’s Surf Shop--a landmark surf shop near the Huntington Beach Pier--was destroyed, police and fire officials said.
Arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary and arson was Garry Edwin Weaver Jr., 23, of Huntington Beach.
Witnesses told police that they saw a man running in the direction of the municipal pier moments after they heard breaking glass and saw smoke billowing from the building.
Police found the suspect lying under construction material in a closed construction area of the pier, McErlain said. Some bikinis, T-shirts, shoes and boots believed to have been stolen from Larry’s Bikini Shop were recovered nearby, he said.
Huntington Beach Fire Inspector Dan Madrigal said 43 firefighters responded to the blaze about 4:50 a.m. The building houses four stores that sell beachwear and surfing equipment, Madrigal said.
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.
