LAPD Undercover Unit Catches Suspect in Arson

An undercover Los Angeles Police Department unit conducting an unrelated surveillance was credited Monday with the arrest of a man suspected of an arson that gutted a two-story Hollywood strip mall, fire Department officials said.

The man, whose name was not released, was seen walking away from Arshaluy’s Restaurant in the 5100 block of Sunset Boulevard about 10 p.m. Sunday, seconds before the Armenian eatery exploded in flames, said Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda.

The restaurant was destroyed and four other businesses in the strip mall were damaged. More than 40 firefighters took 16 minutes to douse the flames, authorities said.

“An arson investigator almost needs a flaming match to get a conviction,” said Ruda, adding that arson is one of the most difficult crimes to prosecute. “In this particular case, with the help of the police, we were able to take an arson suspect off the streets. This guy even had some singed body parts.”