Fire officials investigate scam

Amber Willard

GLENDALE -- Glendale fire officials are investigating some 50 cases of

alleged fraud committed by men posing as employees of fire suppression

companies.

Three men, all Israeli citizens who live in Tarzana and Woodland

Hills, were arrested in March by Hermosa Beach Police on suspicion of

commercial burglary and interfering with fire safety equipment.

Since then, investigators have found hundreds of Southern California

businesses, mostly restaurants, that may have been victims of the

suspects, Itzhak Apo, Avi Shushan and Yaron Patay, as well as others.

“We’re evaluating what has been reported and will determine a course

of action,” said Battalion Chief Steve Howard, who is leading Glendale’s

investigation.

The department is waiting to contact businesses that may have been

victimized until they are first notified by the California State License

Board, Howard said.

“Prior to taking any action, we want to check that we have the correct

information,” Howard said. “The goal is not to alarm businesses here in

town. It takes time to evaluate.”

Officials are concerned that the alleged frauds compromised the safety

of the affected businesses.

Employees of Apollo Fire Protection in Encino and other businesses

allegedly went into restaurants and other businesses under the guise of

checking fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems above cooking

areas. In some cases, the extinguishers and systems were disabled. In

others, workers claimed to have serviced the items when they had not,

officials said.

State laws require the equipment to be checked on a regular basis by

licensed companies. The companies under suspicion were not licensed but

used other businesses license numbers, officials said. The phony

companies allegedly showed up to inspect the businesses much more often

than is required.

A legitimate company known as Apollo Fire Protection operates out of

Canoga Park, while the business under suspicion claims to be based in

Encino, according to Hermosa Beach Police records. Other names used by

the suspects include A & P Fire Extinguisher Service, Haynes Fire

Protection and Alpine Fire Protection Service.

Anyone with questions about service can call the state fire marshal’s

office at (916) 445-8200.