Suspect in Pasadena Church Arsons, Attempted Carjacking Due in Court

A pretrial hearing is scheduled Monday for a 32-year-old Alhambra man charged with setting two arson fires and attempting to carjack a victim at gunpoint during a three-day Pasadena crime spree in January 2024, according to court records.

Michael Monzon will appear in Department B of the Pasadena Courthouse at 8:30 a.m., ahead of a previously scheduled November pretrial hearing, to face multiple felony charges filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors allege Monzon set fire to Dream Church, formerly known as Grace Korean Methodist Church, on East Colorado Boulevard around 9 p.m. on January 19. The blaze caused minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

Two days later, authorities say Monzon attempted to carjack a victim at gunpoint at a gas station in the 1800 block of East Colorado Boulevard. Hours after the failed carjacking, a second fire was allegedly set in a parking lot in the 1100 block of East Colorado Boulevard.

Surveillance footage played a crucial role in identifying Monzon, according to investigators.

Video evidence reportedly captured him intentionally starting fires at the church, which were discovered the following morning.

The Pasadena Police Department’s Robbery/Homicide Unit, which includes an arson investigator, used the surveillance footage to conclude the same suspect committed all three crimes.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Monzon on January 24 in Temple City on unrelated charges. The Pasadena Police Department’s investigation later connected him to the arson and carjacking incidents.

During the investigation, authorities said they recovered what appeared to be a makeshift object constructed to resemble a firearm, which they believe was used in the attempted carjacking.

Monzon faces two counts of arson, burglary, attempted carjacking, and carrying a dirk or dagger. He remains in custody at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Inmate Reception Center on $225,000 bail. The motive for the fires remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing.

Monzon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.