Man Hurled Molotov Cocktail into Topanga PD Station – Charged with Felony Arson
Photo: scene of arson attempt
TOPANGA – When Jonathon Rosin (24), of Canoga Park, hurled an incendiary device at the window of the Topanga Police Department window, his weapon of choice was a handmade Molotov Cocktail. “Upon contact with the window the bottle shattered and ignited the flammable liquid,” said LAPD.
A Molotov Cocktail “also known as a petrol bomb, gasoline bomb, bottle bomb, poor man’s grenade, fire bomb (not to be confused with an actual fire bomb), fire bottle or just Molotov, sometimes shortened as Molly, is a generic name used for a variety of bottle-based improvised incendiary weapons,” according to Wikipedia. “Due to the relative ease of production, Molotov cocktails have been used by criminals, rioters, urban guerrillas, terrorists, irregular soldiers, or even regular soldiers short on equivalent military- issue weapons.”
The May 9th incident during the midnight hour was “witnessed by multiple LAPD personnel on the station’s CCTV system,” said LAPD. “The flames were extinguished promptly by a supervisor.”
Topanga Station Officers on hot foot-pursuit tailed Rosin eastbound on Schoenborn Street. The man smelling of gasoline was apprehended. taken into custody without incident at Canoga Ave. and Rosco Blvd., arrested and booked on for 18740 P.C., “Igniting An Explosive,” and a misdemeanor warrant.
While held at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Jail on a $501,000 bail, LAPD Major Crimes Division with support from LAFD Arson Counter Terrorism Section (ACTS) launched the investigation.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Rosin (dob 7/13/96) was later charged with setting the fire at the LAPD Topanga Station. He faces one felony count each of use of destructive device and explosive to injure/destroy and arson of an inhabited structure or property.
Prosecutors announced that no one was injured in the attack. Rosin pleaded not guilty in case LA094786 and is slated to return for a June 22nd preliminary hearing at the Van Nuys Branch of L.A. County Superior Court.
“Everyone should feel safe in their workplace and that includes police officers,” said DA Gascón. “We will not tolerate brazen acts of violence directed at anyone.”
You are urged to provide any additional information about this ongoing case and LAPD investigation to LAPD Major Crimes Divison at (213) 486-7220. During non-business hours, or on weekends, dial 1-877- LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). To remain anonymous. call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers 1-800-222- TIPS (800-222-8477) or via www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.
Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
