Suspect Arrested in Connection With Over 150 Unexplained Explosions in Pasadena

A 63-year-old Pasadena resident, Art Leon Berian, has been arrested and charged in connection with more than 150 unidentified explosions that have occurred over the past two years in the area of Allen Ave. and Washington Blvd., according to a press release from the Pasadena Police Department.

The explosions, most of which went unreported to police, were identified using ShotSpotter technology and neighborhood applications. In the past two weeks alone, there were 14 blasts in the same vicinity.

Working in collaboration, the Pasadena Fire Department Arson Investigator and the Pasadena Police Department Robbery/Homicide Unit identified two vehicles associated with the explosions, both registered to the same owner.

Authorities said that with the aid of technology, the suspect was identified. A Pasadena police press release identified the suspect as Berian.

On May 16 at 11:30 a.m., Robbery/Homicide Unit detectives were collecting video evidence related to one of the explosions when they reportedly heard a loud blast and observed a white cloud in front of them. Canvassing the area, they said they observed Berian’s 2013 BMW arriving at the scene of the explosion.

Berian was immediately taken into custody, and evidence connected to the blast was seized from his vehicle, police said.

Remarkably, no injuries have been reported as a result of any of the explosions, according to authorities.

On Monday, May 20, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed three felony counts of PC18740 (Explosives with Intent to Injure or Intimidate) against Berian, with bail set at $1,500,000.

Anyone with information related to these incidents is urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously through “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), via the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or at http://lacrimestoppers.org.