Man accused of killing grandmother enters plea
A Glendale man accused of killing his grandmother by setting their
hillside home ablaze pleaded not guilty Monday to capital murder
charges, prosecutors said.
Antranik Banos Khajarian, 37, also faces two counts for the
attempted murder of his mother and father, who were also in the
house. Khajarian could face the death penalty because the murder
count carries a special circumstance of arson, prosecutors said.
Police believe Khajarian used some type of flammable fuel March 1
to torch the family house he shared with his parents and grandmother,
Arpine Demerjian, on Wonderview Drive.
Motives are still under investigation, but he did have a
"disagreement" with family members before the incident, Glendale
Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.
"His actions obviously lead one to believe that he did not want to
forewarn anyone about the fire," Lorenz said. "The fire alarms saved
the rest of the family. Had it not been for the alarms, the outcome
would have been devastating."
Khajarian was arrested at midnight that day while crossing the
Mexican border into California, police said. He is being held in
county jail on no bail.
His next court date is set for April 28, when attorneys will meet
with a Pasadena Superior Court judge to determine when his
preliminary hearing will begin, Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty.
Susan Powers said.
Police search for
man behind arson
Police are looking for a man who is believed to have set two cars
on fire this weekend.
A Glendale man reported about 4 a.m. Saturday that a 2003
Mitsubishi Montero was aflame in the 800 block of Fischer Street,
according to a Glendale police report. Glendale Fire Engine 28
responded a few minutes later and put out the blaze, police said.
A witness told investigators that he saw the suspect attempt to
drive off with the SUV, but it wouldn't start, police said. The man
then started a fire in the truck and fled, police said. An Alpine car
stereo worth $500 was stolen from the SUV.
Police described the man as 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10, medium build,
in his 30s and wearing a light shirt with dark jeans.
Minutes later, another car was reportedly torched in the 500 block
of Maple Street.
Investigators provided no other information on the second
incident.
Anyone with information can call Glendale police at (818)
548-4840.
Anonymous tips can be made at (818) 507-7867.
