Suspect Arrested in Church of the Angels Vandalism and Arson

A 25-year-old man suspected of the intentionally set fire and vandalism at West Pasadena’s Church of the Angels as well as a string of other Los Angeles County church fires has been arrested.

Christian Michael Garcia was taken into custody Thursday on suspicion of arson and vandalism by personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division and Criminal Conspiracy Section and the Inter-Agency House of Worship Task Force, authorities said.

The Task Force was comprised of agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives working alongside Pasadena Fire Department arson and Pasadena police investigators, the Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Unit and Los Angeles police.

Garcia’s arrest came hours after the latest church fire, a 2:05 a.m. Thursday blaze at the Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights, according to authorities.

The Church of the Angels fire broke out at 2:20 a.m. on January 13.

The 129-year-old, strikingly beautiful church at 1100 Avenue 64 suffered significant damage and the loss of at least one historical statue. Graffiti had been sprayed inside the church.

The blaze was knocked down in 14 minutes by 41 Los Angeles City firefighters, called to the scene at about by witnesses who believed the Church is in Los Angeles.

At the time, the Church’s rector, Father Bob Gaestel, said there was no known motive for the attack.

“We don’t have any idea who did it or why, must be some kind of troubled individual, so we hope that he can get whatever help he needs,” Father Bob said.

In the aftermath of the reported arrest, Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington and Pasadena Chief of Police Philip L. Sanchez praised the investigators.

“The Collaboration of our Federal and local partners and the tireless work of investigators from the various agencies in the task force, made this arrest possible and is a testament to the productive working relationship, first responders have here in Southern California when a community is threatened by criminal activity,” Washington and Sanchez said in a published statement.

Authorities indicated that the case against Garcia will be presented Monday to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, according to authorities.