Arrest In Las Vegas Chabad Fire

By Jesse Granger – Las Vegas Sun

A man was arrested on counts of arson and burglary Monday night after he allegedly set two fires at a central Las Vegas synagogue.

Afshin Bahrampour, 47 was booked into Clark County Detention Center and was charged with one count of arson in the first degree, three counts of arson in the third degree and one count of burglary.

Las Vegas FBI and Metro Police investigators are probing the incident, FBI spokeswoman Sandra Breault said. As of this afternoon, “I cannot confirm that it is being investigated as a hate crime,” she added.

Investigators are assessing the situation to see how the suspect will be charged, either on a state or federal level, Breault said.

About 8 p.m. firefighters responded to a car fire in the parking lot of the Chabad of Southern Nevada-Desert Torah Academy at 1261 Arville Street near Charleston Boulevard, officials said.

The front end of the car was heavily damaged and two other nearby cars received minor damage, officials said.

While firefighters were cleaning up after the car fire, witnesses who were inside the synagogue told them there was an earlier wastebasket fire inside the building around 6 p.m.

Since both fires happened in a short amount of time and at a house of worship, the Fire Department contacted Metro Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to assist with the investigation, officials said.

Surveillance video showed Bahrampour on the property both times. Investigators then checked the parking lot of the shopping center across the street and found him. After him he was arrested and charged according to officials.

“ADL looks forward to working closely with law enforcement,” said Jolie Brislin, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Nevada chapter. “We commend the police for their investigation and swift arrest regarding this serious incident and hope it will be investigated as a hate crime. The safety and security of our entire community is our top priority.”