BURN VICTIM FREE ON BAIL IN STRIP-MALL FIRE ARSON SUSPECT NEARLY DIED.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer GLENDALE - A business owner who nearly died last year in a strip-mall fire has been arrested and charged with setting the blaze to collect insurance money, police said Monday. Tony Yarijanian, 37, is free after posting $150,000 bail on charges of arson and fraudulent insurance claims, Glendale police said. Yarijanian, who operated a tanning salon at the mall, was found at the scene of the February 2004 fire with burns over more than 80 percent of his body. A firefighter also was injured when he was trapped after the roof collapsed. ``We feel that Yarijanian had the specific intent to destroy his property to recover funds from his insurance company in the amount of $250,000, and in doing so he suffered not only major burns himself, but destroyed his property and all other businesses on that property,'' said Glendale police Detective Miguel Porras. U.S. Customs officials, acting on an April 14 warrant, arrested Yarijanian on Friday at Los Angeles International Airport “LAX” redirects here. For other uses, see LAX (disambiguation). “KLAX” redirects here. For other uses, see KLAX (disambiguation). Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX when he returned from a trip abroad, Porras said. Yarijanian's attorney could not be reached Monday for comment. The fire caused at least $1.4 million in damage to the strip mall strip mall n. A shopping complex containing a row of various stores, businesses, and restaurants that usually open onto a common parking lot. Noun 1. in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue Pennsylvania Avenue is a street in Washington, D.C. joining the White House and the United States Capitol. Called "America's Main Street," it is the location of official parades and processions, as well as protest marches and civilian protests. . It destroyed or severely damaged all seven of the mall's businesses, including a pool-supply store, hair salon A hair salon (also called 'Hairdresser' and 'Hair Parlour')is a place where one goes to get their hair cut, as well as styled, highlighted or coloured. There are many different types of hair salons that one can choose to go to. and Yarijanian's Safari Tan, where police said they believe the fire originated. Yarijanian spent three months at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks Hopital (SOH) is an 153 bed acute care facility in Sherman Oaks, California, USA and is home of world renowned the Grossman Burn Center. SOH is owned and operated by Prime Healthcare Services, Inc. recovering from his injuries, police said. ``When this first occurred, because of the burn injuries and amount of damage, we were very sympathetic to Mr. Yarijanian and his family because they didn't think he would live. Our initial report was that it was some type of explosion, an accident,'' said Michael Richardson Michael John Richardson (b. 13 July 1949) is an Australian politician. He has been a Liberal member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly since 1993, representing the electorates of The Hills (1993-2007) and Castle Hill (2007-present). , arson investigator with the Glendale Fire Department. ``But there's no doubt about it that this was an intentionally set fire.'' All of the businesses were forced to close because of the fire. Of those, the Gardenia gardenia: see madder. gardenia Any of the approximately 200 species of ornamental shrubs and trees in the genus Gardenia, in the madder family, native to tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. Market reopened four months ago and a tai kwon do studio opened last week. Raymond Cherfane, 34, who owns Gardenia Market, said he was shocked by the arrest of his former business neighbor, whom he remembers as a nice, pleasant, energetic person with a positive attitude. Gardenia Market sustained extensive smoke and water damage, but Cherfane said the support of the community has helped it recover. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how human beings do things like that, but we keep that judgment for the Power Above. Our neighbors and the community have been really supportive of our business, and we're so blessed.'' Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com 
Jack Bruno (Member): Not accurate information, very miss informative and misjudging. 11/15/2007 5:37 PM
Every story has two sides to it. How can you judge someone by hearing only one side of the story told by a journalist? Media and journalists as we know love to nail someone just to get the negative attention they are hungry for. You don’t believe me? Just look at the news everyday. When was the last time they announced a positive or a happy event or when was the last time they tried to promote someone’s honest or good work? Hmmmmmmmm! I don’t know. Do you? We are no one to judge someone. This is only Gods job. But as humans we just love to see someone down so we can kick him/her one more time and step over them. <br>What a shame.<br>
Dickran Harutunian (Member): The information in this article was found to be 100% fact. 4/6/2008 12:03 AM
The other comment is 100% true, their are 2 sides of a story and the author of that story was very lenient when he wrote every word. The other side is that this man in question unfairly interrupted and destroyed hard working peoples life's so he can financially gain. Those people are friends and family of our community here in Glendale that have lost their life savings because of this man. We are a small community and word gets around very fast and word is he is doing very well with his health and owns other commercial property and was recently awarded from the Guinness World Records an award but yet he is up to the same antics for taking from innocent people for financial gain.<br>No one wishes on a person what he inevitably experienced as a result of his actions but he went threw what he went threw because of his actions and that can't be denied. <br>As for the innocent families who will be paying their debts and rebuilding their nest egg for the next 20 years because of the results of this man, well yes' God will be the only one who will judge him in the end as he was given a second chance at life for a reason, let's pray for him and his family that he will make wiser choices than trying to fraud people for financial gain but as the saying goes,<br>Once a Fraud, always a Fraud.
3 complaint(s) reported. Report abuse
I have to agree, there are 2 sides to a story. The victim is a child of god and was given 2nd chance in life to help others. To make up stories about the victim is not the right road to go because u know what Mr. Harutunian god will give it to you and punish you for your fake and evil words. People like you have nothing better to do but sit behind a computer and bash on people without knowing facts. So why don't you take yourself to a productive level and make a change in your life rather than sitting behind a computer and talking nonsense. That shopping center has exploded one 2 many times since i've lived in la crescenta. That whole shopping center has a problem with gas leaks.
Andre Petrosian (Member): Information in the article is all 100% lies and false just to make a good person look guilty. Shame on you. 5/16/2008 3:09 PM
I have known Tony for 35 years. He was born and raised in a hard working Armenian family. He has always worked very hard from young age and always been very successful. He is a hard working family man and one that can be trusted. Me and hundreds others that know him personally, trust him with our lives and families and know that one thing he is not capable of is “crime and taking advantage of others”. He has been awarded several times for his honesty. But unfortunately some very jealous and evil people that can not see his will, love and success, always try to knock him down and make him look bad. I wish I could be like Tony and have his love and will for one second. We are very proud of him and we support him. And to you Mr. Harutunian, Wow……How can you even bring the word “GOD” in your mouth. One just by reading your comments and portfolio can tell. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion