Pasadena Driver Sentenced for Two Separate Police Pursuits, Arson

A Pasadena man who led police on two separate high-speed chases within 30 days last year was sentenced to five years in state prison Monday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Ryan Erlich said Karnik Kendirian, 48, entered no contest pleas today to two felony counts of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly and one felony count of arson in cases GA097403 and GA097569.

Kendirian also pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of vandalism under $400.

On Oct. 24, 2015, the defendant drew graffiti on a neighbor’s property and then threatened the victim for reporting the incident. When police attempted to arrest Kendirian the following day, he led police on a nearly three-hour, 240-mile pursuit that reached speeds of up to 100 mph, according to evidence presented at the preliminary hearing.

On Nov. 20, 2015, Kendirian set a Pasadena water store on fire after threatening the owner of the establishment the day before, the prosecutor said. The defendant, who was out on bail, again led police officers on a high-speed chase that lasted around 10 minutes, the prosecutor added.

The case was investigated by the Pasadena Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Altadena Station.