Community Corner

Man Convicted of Arson in Hacienda Heights Church Fire

Gregory Yusuke Shiga 35, of Hacienda Heights, is facing up to life in prison, with sentencing set July 19.

A man was convicted today of arson and other counts for setting an April 2011 fire that caused millions of dollars in damage to a Catholic church in Hacienda Heights.

A Pomona Superior Court jury deliberated less than an hour before finding Gregory Yusuke Shiga guilty of one count each of aggravated arson, arson of a structure, arson of an inhabited structure, possession of flammable material and second-degree commercial burglary.

Jurors also found true allegations of damage in excess of $3 million to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, use of an accelerant and multiple buildings burned.

Shiga 35, of Hacienda Heights, is facing up to life in prison, with sentencing set July 19 before Judge Thomas Falls, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Shiga broke into the church's sanctuary just after midnight on April 16, 2011, saturated toilet paper rolls with a flammable material and placed them around the inside of the church, according to Deputy District Attorney Renee Rose.

He also used a device to saturate the structure's walls and ceilings with an accelerant, the prosecutor said.

Firefighters battled the blaze at the church, at 1345 Turnbull Canyon Road, for about 2 1/2 hours. Investigators determined that day that the fire had been intentionally set.

Shiga was arrested in May 2012 after a yearlong investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the FBI.

Authorities have estimated damage from the fire at $9 million.

--City News Service


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