GARMENT DISTRICT : Suspect in More Than 350 Fires Charged on 10 Counts

Arson charges were filed Wednesday against an Arleta man believed to have set more than 350 fires that caused more than $4 million damage, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said.

Victor Manuel Gomez, 38, was charged with 10 counts of arson for a series of fires in the Downtown Los Angeles garment district between October, 1994, and March, 1995, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert E. Savitt. Savitt was unable to provide a motive for the arsons.

Although authorities believe Gomez set more than 350 fires, he was charged only with the 10 most recent cases, Savitt said.

Gomez worked in the garment district as a textile dealer and had easy access to areas where the fires began, Savitt said.

“Several owners set up video cameras and found this fellow on a number of photos immediately before the fires started,” Savitt said.

Police were able to identify Gomez after they distributed flyers with his picture in the garment district and found a shop owner who had taken pictures of Gomez when he found him stealing fabrics and identified him from the flyer, Savitt said. Gomez was in custody on the burglary charge, Savitt said.