Cars Set On Fire At Vandalized Auto Repair Shop In West Adams
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Several cars were set on fire Tuesday morning at a West Adams auto repair shop, where vandals also scrawled a threat on garage door.
The fire was first reported at about 2:43 a.m. at Richard's Auto Shop, 3511 S. Crenshaw Boulevard.
Firefighters put out the fire in 15 minutes and kept it from spreading to 20 other vehicles and three nearby businesses.
Three vehicles were destroyed. Another three sustained significant damage. No one was hurt.
Vandals spray-painted "I WILL KILL YOUR FAMILY RICHARD" on a garage door, triggering an arson investigation.
Threatening graffiti found/LAFD knocks dwn body shop fire, 3500 blk, Crenshaw Blvd. @CBSLA @KCBSKCALDesk @KNX1070 @VickyMooreNews @LAFDtalk pic.twitter.com/exYTAnnl0A
— Mark Dunn (@mobile2markdunn) May 9, 2017
"Somebody burn the place on the back. I don't know who did it," said Carlos Velasquez, the shop's manager. "We be here in this place for about 25 years. We never have a problem the neighbors. We are like family. I'm sad because we work hard. We depend for the job. We depend to support the families."
One of the vehicles damaged was a truck that belongs to Nick Gaines, who found out about his loss through news coverage. "I wish my truck hadn't been here on this day when it happened," he said.
The shop's owner, who did not want to reveal his identity, said he has handed all of his security videos over to investigators.