Son Arrested in Killings of 3 in Family

A 21-year-old gas station mechanic was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of killing his parents and younger brother, whose bodies were found in a family car that had been doused with gasoline and set on fire outside a La Mirada high school.

Edward Charles Jr. was surprised by Fullerton police as he left his parents’ house just after 8 p.m. with his girlfriend. Officers had surrounded the house and posted themselves at other homes in the neighborhood because they feared Charles might flee, Sgt. Danny Becerra said.

“Charles was under the belief that we were here to provide security for the family, and to keep the media from getting too close to the house,” Becerra said. “He didn’t anticipate being arrested. “

Charles told sheriff’s investigators that he is innocent, said his lawyer, John J. Donovan of Fullerton. He would not discuss Charles’ recent whereabouts and said Charles was too upset to comment publicly on the deaths.

“You can imagine,” Donovan said. “Obviously, he’s distraught.”

No motive was offered for the killings, which investigators believe occurred Sunday night, a day before neighbors of El Camino Continuing School reported a car fire in the parking lot about 10 p.m. Monday.

Investigators said Edward Charles Sr., 55, a Hughes Aircraft electrical engineer, Dolores Charles, 47, a self-employed typist, and Danny Charles, 19, a singer and voice student at USC, were killed Sunday night and their bodies hidden in the car until it was set on fire.

Times staff writer Nicholas Riccardi contributed to this story.