IRVINE, CA (October 22, 2009):  Irvine Police have arrested a Huntington Beach man in connection with a series of arson fires. 

During the month of October a church in the 100 block of Goodyear had several incidents of someone entering church property after-hours and lighting trash receptacles on fire.  In each of the four incidents a trash receptacle was moved from its storage location and positioned near the church building while the receptacle's contents were set on fire. 

Irvine Police detectives and arson investigators from the Orange County Fire Authority initiated an investigation and worked collaboratively to solve this crime series.  As part of the investigation, detectives and investigators conducted surveillances.  In the evening hours on October 21, 2009 a team of detectives were surveilling the church property.  Shortly after 9:00 p.m. they watched the suspect arrive at the location and seek out a trash can.  As detectives watched the man they saw him throw the trash can at the front doors of the church and then pick up scraps of paper, light them on fire and then try to place the burning paper into the slots of the church's doors in an apparent attempt to start a fire inside the church.  Seeing this, the surveillance team responded and took the subject into custody.  The suspect was found with matches in his possession and BBQ lighter fluid in his car.   

Fortunately, the church building was not damaged in any of these incidents and no one was injured.  Several trash receptacles were damaged by the fires ignited in them.  

According to the investigation, the suspect previously attended the church and had become disenchanted as a result of a variety of philosophical differences. 

Arrestee:

Izad Chavoshan, a 30-year-old resident of Huntington Beach