PASADENA >> Police arrested a transient early Sunday after he tried to light a strip mall on fire as a form of entertainment, officials said.
Jeremy Skinner, 42, was booked on suspicion of arson in connection with the small, 12:45 a.m. fire in the 2500 block of East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena police Lt. John Luna said.
“He gathered newspapers and trash and placed it adjacent to the strip mall building,” Luna said. “He proceeded to light the newspaper and trash on fire.”
With help from rainy weather, the building did not catch fire, and firefighters quickly extinguished the burning debris, Luna said.
After being identified as a suspect by police, “The suspect admitted starting the fire for amusement,” the lieutenant said.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, Skinner was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.