La Verne

Man Arrested in Connection With La Verne Arson Fires

A man was arrested Sunday in connection to seven arson fires at La Verne businesses, police said.

Alan Cheng, a 19-year-old transient from Pomona, was booked on multiple counts of arson and vandalism by La Verne police. 

Someone recognized Cheng as the person described by police accused in the arson fires.

When police arrived at Mr. D's Diner on Foothill Boulevard, they found Cheng still wearing the same clothes from the surveillance footage. He was also positively identified by someone who witnessed the crimes, police said.

Cheng was caught on surveillance video setting a grease container on fire at the back of a La Verne restaurant on Tuesday, after which he went inside and ordered a steak.

The diner was one of the seven locations in the area that he targeted in the span of an hour, according to police.

Cheng was also caught on camera smashing statues and windows at Outdoor Elegance, an outdoor furniture business.

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