“Thanks to an observant person who reached out to a California State Park ranger who in turn knew what steps should be taken to remove this dangerous hazard, the situation ended without harm to people or property.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

Los Angeles – On May 21, 2022, a California State Park ranger working the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area was approached by an individual who discovered eight molotov cocktail devices in a wooded area next to a trail. The park ranger located the devices and notified the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles City Fire Department’s Arson Section. Emergency hazardous response personnel responded to the scene and recovered the eight devices along with gasoline containers.

LADP’s Major Crimes Division (MCD) was notified of the devices and assumed the investigation. Evidence at the scene lead to the identification of a suspect, Maksim Klimenko, 34, of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing this case for filing consideration.