2 Face Arraignment in $1.25-Million Fire
Two Diamond Bar men face arraignment today on criminal charges involving a $1.25-million arson fire and burglary at a San Dimas office supply business.
Ramon Contreras Jr., 23, and Alex Ballan, 21, were arrested Tuesday at their parents’ homes by Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives more than a month after the Aug. 11 fire that gutted the Best Office Products building at 449 Borrego Court. They are expected to be charged with arson, grand theft and burglary when they appear in Pomona Municipal Court. Contreras was a Best warehouse employee put out of work by the fire.
The two men were arrested after they allegedly used Best company credit cards and checks to buy gasoline and stereo equipment in the San Gabriel Valley, Detective David Bobier of the Walnut sheriff’s station said. About $6,000 worth of stereo equipment bought with Best checks was found Tuesday at the home of one of the suspects, the detective 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.
